Dravid certain of improved performance in the tournament

22 April 2008

Skipper of the Bangalore Royal Challengers, Rahul Dravid expressed that the win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium was just the tonic his team needed to up their performance in the Twenty20 extravaganza.

"This win would be very beneficial for the team (in the tournament). We had full confidence in the team, which has been proved in this game," Dravid was quoted as saying in his post match press conference after his team registered a five-wicket win over the Mumbai Indians.

Talking about the partnership between Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis in the triumph, Dravid drew parallels to the Proteas win against India in 2000.

“I told Boucher that it was your partnership with Kallis that took away the match from us that time as well," he reportedly reminded Boucher after the match.

Dravid also said a rest of five days before their next match would "greatly" benefit the team.

"We were a bit rushed this week and virtually had games back to back. This (break) gives us time to go back home and prepare for the next match," he continued.

As the tournament progresses the former India skipper also said that youngsters would have to play larger roles. "As the tournament goes on, I expect that lesser experienced players will have a greater role to play. Most of them have not played in such an atmosphere before and once they get used to it, they will do better," he said.

The losing captain Harbhajan Singh was unmoved by the defeat.

"It was a good effort by the team and we do not expect that one loss would not make too much of a difference in the tournament. It is a long tournament and I am sure that if we play well, we will do well.”

Young paceman Dhawal Kulkarni was also earned words of praise from the stand-in-captain for his fine show in the match. "Dhawal is young, has good potential and I expect him to play for Indian team one day.” Harbhajan said.

Coach Lalchand Rajput also informed the media that a review of captain Sachin Tendulkar's injury would be done in the next two-three days.