Dravid says Rahane will thrive at No. 5 batting position in Tests

Former India captain Rahul Dravid on Friday described Ajinkya Rahane as 'a different generation cricketer', insisting that the right-hander has the technique to thrive at No. 5 position in Tests.

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Rahane, who has emerged as one of the most consistent run-getters for the team, switched positions with No.3 Rohit Sharma in the last two Tests against Sri Lanka.

"He is a good No.5," Dravid told former Test opener Aakash Chopra at the launch of latter's book The Insider in Mumbai.

"Rahane is going to make a really good 4 or 5. I am not saying he will not be able to do a 3, but the kind of success he has had at 5, his ability to be able to play with the tail, and the range of shots tell me he is going to be a good No 5," added Dravid, who currently coaches India 'A' team.

Dravid also believes that Rahane is proficient enough to take on second new ball and maintained that the 27-year-old had been India's best batsman with runs and hundreds in probably every country he had played in.

"It will also give him the opportunity to play the second new ball. He will have to play at whatever position he is required to for the team and that will mean sometime batting at 3 as was required in the Test (in Sri Lanka)," he added.

Rahane scored a match winning second innings century at the P Sara Oval in the second Test.

India clinched their first Test series win on Sri Lankan soil in 22 years after defeating the hosts by 117 runs on the fifth day of the decisive third and final match to secure the series 2-1 in Colombo.