Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Dravid Backs India’s WTC Hopes Despite New Zealand Challenge
Rahul Dravid thinks India can still reach the World Test Championship final.
India are currently fifth in the standings.
They have seven matches left and need to win most of them.
Their two-Test series in New Zealand in November will be very important.
Dravid says New Zealand is difficult to beat at home.
He also says India’s young players may miss the experience of former senior players.
Dravid is looking forward to India’s later series against Australia at home.
He says young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be given time to learn through domestic red-ball cricket.
Rahul Dravid says India remain in contention for the World Test Championship final despite falling slightly behind.
India are fifth in the points table and must win most of their seven remaining matches.
Dravid identifies the two-Test New Zealand series in November as a major challenge for India’s young team.
He says India will miss the experience of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Dravid urges patience with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and recommends several seasons of red-ball cricket.
- Who
- Rahul Dravid discussed India’s World Test Championship prospects, the Indian team led by Shubman Gill, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
- What
- Dravid backed India’s qualification hopes while warning about the New Zealand challenge and advocating patience with Sooryavanshi.
- When
- The comments were reported ahead of India’s two-Test New Zealand series in November; the Australia series is scheduled for January-February.
- Where
- The discussion concerns India’s matches in Sri Lanka, New Zealand and India.
- Why
- India need to win most of their seven remaining World Test Championship matches after falling slightly behind in the standings.
Reasons for optimism
Reasons for caution
World Test Championship qualification
Reasons for optimism
Dravid says India’s quality means they should not be written off and believes they can still reach the final.
Reasons for caution
India have fallen slightly behind, are fifth in the table and must win most of their seven remaining matches.
New Zealand series
Reasons for optimism
India’s encouraging start against Sri Lanka gives the team a positive first step.
Reasons for caution
New Zealand are a tough home side, and India’s young players may lack experience in those conditions.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Test future
Reasons for optimism
Dravid believes Sooryavanshi can eventually hold his own in a Test team if given the right opportunities.
Reasons for caution
Dravid cautions that the 15-year-old needs patience, domestic cricket and several seasons of red-ball experience.
- India’s WTC position
- Fifth in the World Test Championship points table.
- Matches remaining
- Seven matches remain in India’s World Test Championship calendar.
- New Zealand series
- India are due to play a two-match series in New Zealand in November.
- Key concern
- Dravid says New Zealand away will challenge India’s young players, many of whom have not played in those conditions.
- Upcoming Australia series
- The Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home is scheduled for January-February.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Dravid says the 15-year-old should receive a couple of seasons of red-ball cricket.