Dravid wants other wicketkeeping options to be explored

The wicketkeeper's job in the Indian one-day line-up could be up for grabs again, after Rahul Dravid hinted that he would prefer to give up that role and play as a specialist batsman. According to a report in the Asian Age, Dravid, who joined the pre-season camp in Bangalore on Monday, hoped that one of the younger wicketkeepers would provide the long-term solution to this issue.

"We have a good crop of young wicketkeepers, and we have selected three stumpers for this camp. I hope one of them does the job. If they do a good job we need not look at another option," he commented. "If somewhere along the line you do need to look at the option, it need not necessarily be me, but could be someone else."

Dravid stated that the original plan to have him keep wicket was a short-term one. "Initially, it was only till the World Cup. Having said that, at the end of the day we have the decisions taken by the selectors and the team management. We will assess the situation that does arise."

Dravid became a regular wicketkeeper for India in ODIs on the tour of the West Indies in 2001-02, and kept wicket in the 2003 World Cup. Dravid's glovework wasn't always top-class, but playing him as a wicketkeeper allowed India to include seven batsmen in their line-up. It seemed to enhance Dravid's batting ability too - he averaged 49.70 in the 47 matches in which he kept wicket, a full ten runs more than his career ODI average.

However, with Dravid making his intentions clear, the performances of Parthiv Patel, Ajay Ratra and Thilak Naidu will be closely observed during the camp and the Challenger Series, which will be held in Bangalore from September 10-14.