India coach Rahul Dravid on Monday indicated that the team management may take some tough selection decisions going forward and emphasised on the need to have clear communication with the players.
Opener Rohit Sharma was rested for the entire Test series while skipper Virat Kohli skipped the opening match. Mayank Agrawal and Shyeras Iyer hit a ton each and Shreyas Iyer too had good starts in India’s series win, which was first for Dravid after taking over the reins of the side from Ravi Shastri.
Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are under pressure to save their places in the side ahead of the South Africa tour and in that context, Dravid’s comments assume significance.
“It’s a good (selection) headache to have and see young boys perform well. There’s a great desire to do well and everyone’s pushing each other,” Dravid said after the match.
“I hope we have more headaches to have, we may have to make some tough decision but as long as we have clear communication and we explain to the players why, don’t see it to be a problem,” he said.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel proved his worth with ball and bat.
He took a five-for in the first innings of the first Test and batted with aplomb in India’s second innings of the second Test to help India set New Zealand a mammoth target.
Jayant Yadav took five wickets in second Test, including a four-wicket haul in first innings.
Dravid said it will be a mistake to read the Test series win as a lop-sided result in India’s favour.