India’s chief coach for the tour of Sri Lanka Rahul Dravid stated it will be unrealistic to give opportunity to all youngsters in the upcoming limited overs series. Dravid, who is known to give chances to the young guns at the Under-19 and India A level, added that the primary objective is to win the series in Sri Lanka.
Dravid added that he will have a word with Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli on what kind of squad they want for the T20 World Cup. It is noted that most of the places are secured in India’s squad for the mega event and the players who will perform exceptionally in the series against Sri Lanka, might get selected in the big event.
“…I think it’s probably going to be unrealistic to expect us in a short tour like this with three games, or three one-dayers to give everyone an opportunity…and the selectors will be there as well,” Dravid declared in the pre-departure press conference.
Dravid who is well known for getting the best out of the young players added that a lot of players will be pushing for their places in the T20 World Cup. Players like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson will be pushing for their places whereas youngsters like Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Rana, Chetan Sakariya, K Gowtham, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Varun Chakravarthy will look to grab their chances if they get any.
“There are a lot of people in this squad who are pushing for places or looking to cement their places in the World Cup coming up, but I think the key goal of everyone in the squad and in the team…is to try and win the series,” the former India captain said.
“The primary objective is to try and win the series and hopefully people get the opportunity to put in some really good performances. These are the only three games before the World Cup. “I am sure that you know the selectors and management would have a pretty fair idea by now as to what is the kind of squad that they are looking for.”
India will play three ODIs and as many T20Is on the tour of Sri Lanka. The first ODI will be played at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on 13th July.
