India must play Nehra if he is fit: Dravid

Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid feels paceman Ashish Nehra should be a part of the team in the ongoing World Cup if he is fit as he has got the experience of bowling at the death.

“I would have definitely played Ashish Nehra if he was fit as he has got the experience of playing in the World Cup and also has the ability. He has got a good experience of bowling at the death overs,” said Dravid.

The experienced left-arm pacer from Delhi, who is an important wicket-taking bowler with genuine swing-bowling capabilities, has not been included in the playing XI because of fitness issues.

Dravid, however, said it is still early in the tournament and there is enough time for the team to get into the rhythm.

“This is just the early part of the tournament and there is no need to get too concerned. In fact, the part-timers are doing well on these sub-continental conditions. The others can also do very well on these tracks and also have a scope to improve,” said Dravid after inaugurating the Castrol Cricket Performance Centre here on Tuesday.

The Test batsman however added that India would be benefited greatly if they figure out their main bowlers before the knockout stage.

“India have enough time to get into the rhythm and if at this league stage, they can decide on their top four bowlers then it would be good for them during the knockout stage,” said Dravid.

Nonetheless, the 38-year-old admitted that it was not possible for a team to go into a match with a particular mindset all the time.

“Zaheer will obviously be a part of India’s final eleven.

But whether to play with a three seamers or go for two spinners would depend on the conditions. There is no set mindset one can go with,” Dravid said.

“If you are playing in Delhi where the track may spin, you may go with two spinners but if you are playing in Mohali or Ahmedabad then you must play with three pacers. So it depends,” said the Bangalorean, adding India’s decision to play with 6-7 batsmen is right in these conditions.