Dravid calls for senior players to lift

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Dravid, India's batting consultant for the series, hopes more experienced players lift and the rising stars can cement their places.

He challenged Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and MS Dhoni to lead the way with the bat, beginning with the first Test starting Wednesday at Trent Bridge.

"I think the senior players will have to step up," Dravid said.

"The key guys from each side will have to step up - it will be important for people like Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara and the bowlers, and MS Dhoni as well, if they have a good series it gives you a good chance to succeed.

"Having said that, both sides are filled with youngsters so it could be a series where some of the youngsters stand up."

Despite that, Dravid said the bowling attacks would be the key throughout the series.

"The key is going to be if you are able to take 20 wickets," he said.

"When we won the series here in 2007 we were lucky enough to play the same bowling attack in all three matches and that made a big difference.

"Most of them have not played Test cricket here but they have been on 'A' tours before and played here in one-day cricket, including the Champions Trophy recently so a lot of them have been to this country before.

"That is an advantage that they do have."

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