'Since there has been MS Dhoni' - Rahul Dravid talks about the impact of MS Dhoni on Indian wicketkeepers

Rahul Dravid (Source: Twitter)

The Indian cricket team have had some great wicketkeepers over the years. However, ever since MS Dhoni arrived in the team the entire wicketkeeping landscape underwent a significant change in India. The team management now wants a wicketkeeper who can bat rather than a specialist wicketkeeper. During the press conference ahead of third India vs New Zealand ODI, head coach Rahul Dravid also spoke about the same.

Dravid gave examples of Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, and KS Bharat from the current generation who are true 'wicket-keeper batters'.

“We always looking for a wicketkeeper-batsman, there is no question about it. I think since there has been MS Dhoni, in white-ball cricket, the days of specialist wicketkeepers are gone unfortunately. We are lucky and we are fortunate that all of the guys who are in contention, even in this team you know whether it's Ishan Kishan or KS Bharat are both good batsmen and have done well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Bharat hasn't played but Ishan has obviously done well as a batsman," Dravid said in the press conference while replying to a question.

The India head coach firmly believes that being just a wicket-keeper isn't enough in modern-day cricket as teams want a good contribution from the bat as well from their wicketkeepers.

You should be able to bat and contribute significantly: Rahul Dravid

“There is Rahul there, Samson is there, but unfortunately, Rishabh is injured. All of these guys are wicketkeeper-batsmen. I think today, you have to be a wicketkeeper-batsman. You should be able to bat and contribute significantly. We have also picked up Jitesh Sharma in the T20 mix because of his ability to bat and score runs at a very quick pace as he has shown in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy and in the Indian T20 League that he has played. So yeah it's given now that all teams need a wicketkeeper-batsman," Dravid explained.

Meanwhile, India will lock horns with New Zealand in the third ODI on Tuesday at Holkar Stadium, Indore. The ‘Men-in-Blue’ lead the three-match series by 2-0 and will look to whitewash the kiwis in the third ODI.