Rahul Dravid backs India's WTC 2027 prospects and advises patience for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed optimism regarding India’s chances of qualifying for the 2027 ICC World Test Championship final. Despite currently sitting fifth in the standings with a points percentage of 53.33%, Dravid believes the team’s quality makes them contenders. He noted that while the path is challenging due to upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia, a strong start against Sri Lanka is a positive sign.

Dravid also addressed the future of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. While Sooryavanshi has excelled in white-ball cricket and the IPL, Dravid advised the management to be patient, suggesting the youngster needs more experience in domestic red-ball cricket before transitioning to Test matches.

In ongoing match action, Indian captain Shubman Gill has led the team to a dominant position in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Following a first-innings declaration of 503/9, India enforced the follow-on, seeking to secure a series victory and join an elite group of Indian captains to win a Test series in Sri Lanka.