With his wicketkeeping role assigned till the 2003 World Cup, India vice-captain Rahul Dravid says the team should explore different options for the slot as a few young wicketkeepers are shaping up well and someone else in the team could also give it a try.
"There is a young crop of three wicketkeepers (in the preparatory camp). If they do the job, you don't need an alternative," Dravid told reporters at the preparatory camp for the upcoming New Zealand series at Bangalore.
He said in case the youngsters fail to deliver, it would be a good idea to ask some other player in the team to double up as a wicketkeeper.
"If the youngsters don't (perform) you need an alternative. And it need not be just me alone, it could be anybody (in the team who can don the role of a wicketkeeper)," he said.
The stylish middle-order batsman, fresh from a county stint with Scotland, said his role behind the stumps was up to the World Cup in South Africa. "It is up to the team management and selectors to take a decision whether I should continue."
On whether he has set personal goals for the coming season, Dravid said he would like to win India's away series in Australia later this year. "Obviously, to win the series in Australia.... that would be fantastic."
India are to host New Zealand for a two-Test series followed by a triangular series with Australia as the third team. India will then tour Australia for a four-Test series.
"I will just do the best I can and enjoy the game," he said about his priorities for the coming season.
Dravid said his stint with Scotland, which had a bunch of amateurs, was a "good, unique and eye-opening experience".
"Scotland was disappointed that it could not qualify for the 2003 World Cup, and the whole idea was to help it make the grade, Dravid said, hinting he might play for them sometime again in the future.
While he was a "little bit" disappointed that his contribution did not help Scotland much, he said one needs to be realistic. In fact, the side's performance was "creditable", he added.
Dravid said by and large the last season was a good one for India. After a good England tour, there were "ups and downs" in the West Indies and the team had a "tough time" in New Zealand. In the end, the team did well till the final in the World Cup, he said, adding that some real "good talent also came through".
Dravid welcomed the BCCI's move to arrange lectures by prominent personalities for the probables during the course of the camp, saying it would really be useful. Media mogul Prannoy Roy's lecture on Monday was "brilliant", he remarked.
