‘Agar 6ft 4' bowler hain aapke paas toh aap batado’ - Rahul Dravid comes with an epic response in a press conference ahead of the Delhi Test

Rahul Dravid (Source -Twitter)

India’s coach came up with a quirky reply to the journalist when asked about the lack of quality left-arm fast bowlers in the team. He answered their questions in the recent press conference held ahead of the second Test between India and Australia that is scheduled to start on February 17 in Delhi.

Dravid mentioned the name of Zaheer Khan, who has been a pivotal left-handed fast bowler for India. The Indian coach then also admitted that the bowlers don’t get a place in the squad just because they are left-handed but on the basis of their talent and performance.

"A left-arm fast bowler brings a lot of variation. You forgot the name of Zaheer Khan. But selectors and management definitely watch out for these talents. Arshdeep Singh played well in the recent ODIs, he also played Ranji Trophy, where he picked 4-5 wickets. He's young, he's developing," said Dravid in a press conference.

"There are other guys who are performing. But only being a left-handed pacer will not help you get into the side, you need to perform as well. We do look at it, we know the importance but if you're only a left-hand fast bowler then you cannot be considered. Be it Zaheer Khan or Ashish Nehra they didn't get a chance just because they were left-hand fast bowlers but they were good," the Indian coach further added.

We know the importance: Rahul Dravid

Dravid was then interrupted by the journalist and mentioned how the left-arm pacers have done well for India over the years.

"Agar 6ft 4' bowler hain aapke paas toh aap batado (If you know someone 6 ft4 bowler let us know). You took the names of Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Afridi, but in India we rarely find someone as tall as 6ft 5' who bowls left-hand fast,” Dravid replied to a journalist.

"We do look at it, we know the importance but if you're only a left-hand fast bowler then you cannot be considered. Be it Zaheer Khan or Ashish Nehra they didn't get a chance just because they were left-hand fast bowlers but they were good," he added.

Arshdeep Singh is one of the left-handed fast bowlers who has done well for India in recent times. The 24-year-old has appeared in three ODIs and 26 T20Is for India taking 41 wickets in the shortest format.