The veteran coach, Dav Whatmore feels that currently, Team India is one of the most dominating teams in world cricket across all formats as they are yet to lose a Test series since the 2014 series loss to Australia.
Whatmore, who has coached Sri Lanka as well, feels that Indian team will continue their dominance n the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka as well. The series is set to begin with the first Test on November 16.
As quoted in Hindustan Times, Dav said, “It is going to be very difficult for Sri Lanka. They couldn’t win at home, how do you think they’re going to win in India? India’s domination will continue. They are a very good team having all-around abilities. They bat well and deep, they’ve got good spinners and seamers, and also a very positive leader.”
Whatmore also praised the camaraderie of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. He said, “It is very important, and everybody will agree, that the captain and coach have a good working relationship. There’s a saying that players make the coach, there’s no question about that. The coach stays in the background and it is about the players and that is exactly what Ravi Shastri is all about.”
The former Australian cricketer also came in support of hugely criticised batsman MS Dhoni. He said, “I did not see the (Rajkot) game but I read (Ajit) Agarkar, what he was thinking. I didn’t read what VVS Laxman said. What they’re saying is basically reporting on the game. If Dhoni tried to hit from ball one, he would have got out. This guy has won you matches!”
He further elaborated, “It is a bit premature but if you’re looking at the future to infuse and slowly bring in young players, that makes perfect sense. They were not happy with that particular innings but that’s just one game. This guy has played a lot of good ones. No one likes to lose but it happens.”
Sri Lankan selectors have decided to drop Kusal Mendis from their squad and Whatmore feels that he is not able to get the login of dropping one of their finest batsmen. He said, “I have been a bit removed from all this but I am sure the people who did these things must have some reason for it. Mendis is a good player and has won games for them, he will be missed.”
Talking further about the Sri Lankan Team, Dav said, “Asela Gunaratne and Kusal Perera were left out because they haven’t played anything, have they? They had the opportunity to, I guess, before the Tests, so that is understandable. It is good that Angelo Mathews is back, he is an asset, but Mendis….. he is a decent player.”
