Tough for Dravid to come back if he is out, says Akram

[netfree]

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels that it would be difficult for out-of-form Rahul Dravid to return to the Indian team if he loses his place.

Akram, however, felt that Dravid was going through a prolonged slump and hoped that the batsman will recover his form soon.




"I had earlier said that Dravid is a top class player and he is just going through a lean patch. I also hoped that because his defence is so strong, his basics are in place, he will bounce back. But of late he has been feeling the pressure himself. He wants to get runs desperately, and the pressure is showing on him when he is playing his shots," Akram was quoted as saying by Mobile ESPN.

Dravid has been going through a bad patch. Even during the celebrations in Chennai after the win over England Monday, he looked lost. In 14 innings, Dravid has scored 305 runs at an average of 23.46. In his last six innings Dravid has failed to cross 11.

"In the present scenario, even if a player like Dravid loses his place, it's very difficult to get back in the squad. India have got a strong back up now and one cannot afford to rest on past laurels. I hope he realises that if he does not get runs in Mohali, he may never play for India again," said Akram.

But Dravid has retained his Grade A retainership contract worth Rs 6 million with the Indian cricket board.