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India's head coach Rahul Dravid seems to have reposed his hopes in Cheteshwar Pujar and Ajinkya Rahane after the two Test specialists rose to the occasion in the second innings with half tons each. Although it wasn't enough to save India from going down South Africa by seven wickets in the second Test in Johannesburg.
Dravid, with a futuristic understanding of the game, might not change his template of giving the longest rope possible to Pujara and Rahane even if Hanuma Vihari's wait for regular chances gets a bit longer.
"Firstly I must say Vihari played really good in both innings. In first innings he got a nasty one and unfortunately for him, it popped up and fielder just got his finger tips to it and really got a good catch, he batted beautifully in the second innings and that gives us confidence you know," Dravid was all praise for Vihari.
The Hyderabad man contributed in the second innings with an unbeaten 40 in India's target of 240 for the Proteas.
Dravid also took the opportunity to praise Shreyas Iyer, another strong middle-order contender.
"Shreyas (Iyer) obviously done that two or three Test matches ago and he has obviously done that and they have just got to take heart from the fact that whenever they are getting opportunities, they are doing well and hopefully their time would come," he added.
Pujara, Rahane click at the right time
Despite earning all the praise from the coach, it is highly unlikely for both the youngsters to staple a spot for themselves in the playing XI for the final Test in Cape Town. Specially with Rahane and Pujara showing signs of a comeback and Kohli's availibility in the decider match.
"If you look at some of our guys now senior players and being sort of considered, senior players, they have also had to wait for their time and also have had to score a lot of runs at the start of their careers," he said.
Dravid does have a transition and phase-out plan but like everything has its own opportune time, this will also have to wait.
"So it happens (wait) as its nature of the sport," he said adding, "We can take a lot of heart from the manner Vihari batted in this game and that should give him a lot of confidence and that should give us a lot of confidence," the 48-year-old added.
Injured Siraj doubtful for third Test
Dravid confirmed that fast bowler Mohammed Siraj hasn't recovered from the hamstring injury sustained during the second Test and it can't be said with certainty that he will be available for the final game starting in Cape Town from January 11.
"Siraj is not fully fit and we need to check going forward what is his fitness status. In the next 4 days, whether he can get fit and physio will be doing scans," Dravid said.
"Siraj's injury did pose a problem while defending a neither here nor there kind of target which 240 was. Losing Siraj (was a factor) as he wasn't 100 percent in the first innings," said Dravid while lauding the fast bowler's heart to even bowl when he was injured.
