'Dravid one innings away from regaining form' - Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth, the chairman of the national selection panel, has backed Rahul Dravid to come out of his prolonged form slump. Dravid has only two half-centuries in his previous 17 knocks but Srikkanth said Dravid was "just one innings away from regaining form".

"If you look at this series (the Tests against Australia), he made a match-saving half-century in the first innings in Bangalore and looked good during his 39 in Mohali," Srikkanth told the Hindu. "It's unfortunate that he could not build on starts."

With the retirements of the experienced Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble, India are going through a transitional phase and Srikkanth was pleased with the performances of Amit Mishra and M Vijay, the two players handed their Test debuts during the series.

Mishra finished with 14 wickets in three Tests, and his seven wickets in Mohali was instrumental in India's win. "Mishra is a genuine legspinner who is not afraid to flight the ball," he said. "As he gains in experience, he will develop greater variety."

Vijay, who was drafted in as an opener after Gautam Gambhir was banned for the final Test in Nagpur, played a couple of confident knocks to provide India solid starts. "Vijay is a correct batsman who can adapt to both forms of the game. He adds value with his fielding."

India have moved into the second spot after the success against Australia and Srikkanth said the next target was to take over the No. 1 ranking.