Veteran Indian cricketer and Tamil Nadu star Dinesh Karthik has backed India's head coach Rahul Dravid and insisted that Indian cricket is in the right hands with him in charge. The Indian team is preparing for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies, which is scheduled to kick off from February 6 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The first ODI also happens to be India's 1000th, a landmark achievement for the nation. Karthik, on the occasion also spoke about him being part of the journey.
“We do have a lot of matches but players are given ample opportunity to rest, Rahul Dravid is the kind of person who will encourage players to speak how they are feeling mentally and physically. He will accommodate players’ wishes in terms of giving rest so I think India is in a very safe space right now," the 36-year-old said while speaking to ANI.
The Indian team faced an embarrassing 0-3 defeat against South Africa recently, facing lots of criticism. But Karthik has thrown his weight behind the Indian coach with whom he shared the dressing room on multiple occasions. According to him, Dravid is still the right person to lead the coaching manuals.
When asked about India's landmark 1000th game, he said, “To be the first team to play 1000 ODIs is a phenomenal achievement, it is hard to put it into perspective considering India has been playing for a long time now. But to play 1000 ODIs is no joke.”
“I am so proud to be part of that journey; I have enjoyed playing the ODI format. We have been good at it. We have been a strong force over a period of few decades,” Karthik further added on his journey with Team India.
The Indian team will have to be at their fluent best as they try to bounce back from a disappointing tour of South Africa. Picking wickets in the middle overs was the main concern for the Indian team in the three-match ODI series but will have the opportunity to rectify those mistakes. The first ODI takes place on Sunday (February 6).
