Rahul Dravid does not make grand public statements, but when he does, they are significant. His latest comments on Riyan Parag have surely raised eyebrows. Describing Parag as one of the best batters in the lineup, Dravid showed that the team would like him to play as many balls as possible. For him, the more Parag spends in the middle, the better it is for the team.

This is not a fleeting compliment. It is a sign of intent. Dravid is a man who respects process and consistency, so his words are a reflection of the increasing faith in Parag's ability and potential. The team is no longer viewing him as a lower-order finisher. They are willing to give him a more pivotal role, probably higher up the order, where he can impact the game for longer.

For Parag, this is the defining moment of his career. He has shown talent in both domestic cricket and the IPL. There have been some innings when he has batted with a maturity that defies his age, but the consistency has been missing. With Dravid openly supporting him, he now has the stage and the dressing room confidence to put it together.

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This is also indicative of a larger change in the way India is going about T20 cricket. The focus is clearly on scouting impact players early, providing them with surety of their roles, and allowing them to play their game without the fear of making errors. Parag is that kind of a player, exactly. He is aggressive and innovative and feeds on pressure.

If he can convert this backing into performances, Riyan Parag might not just be a promising talent anymore. He could be a regular name on the Indian team sheet in the shortest form of the game. And with someone like Dravid having faith in him, the journey has a solid foundation.

Now it's all about Parag taking that step forward.