Despite having a majority of the first-choice players in England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has managed to churn out a strong squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Many, in fact, are backing the Shikhar Dhawan-led side to win the series in the Island nation. After all, Sri Lanka hasn’t been doing well in international cricket for the past few years.
Talking about the same, Sri Lanka head coach Mickey Arthur asserted that his team is undergoing a transition with many young players being tried and tested. Arthur also said that the hosts won’t take the second-stringed Indian team lightly with the players having experience of playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He, in fact, said that the visiting team’s combination looks like an IPL All-Stars XI.
ALSO READ: Ajit Agarkar Feels Shikhar Dhawan Has Done Nothing Wrong In T20Is
During a recent chat with Sportstar, Mickey Arthur said, “We are very much in a transitional phase at the moment. We are trying out a lot of young players and trying out our best combinations. We are under no illusion because we know this is a wonderful Indian team. The Indian team is amazing; they have got so many good cricketers – it is like an IPL All-Stars XI.”
He further added, “They are an incredible bunch of players, and for us, it is very much about giving game time to young players, looking at possible combinations going forward.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka recently had witnessed a forgettable outing during teh tour to England where they suffered comprehensive defeats in five of the six white-ball games while one encounter got washed out due to rain. Speaking of Sri Lanka’s disappointing performance in England, Mickey Arthur asserted that it was one of the toughest tours in his coaching career.
Mickey Arthur elaborated, “It was really tough for us and we did a lot of souls searching in England. It was one of the toughest tours I have had in my 12 years as an international coach.”
ALSO READ: Saba Karim Believes Virat Kohli Can Reach Chris Gayle’s Milestone In T20 Cricket
Meanwhile, India’s tour of Sri Lanka comprises three ODIs and as many T20Is, will be commencing on July 18. With the T20 World Cup taking place later this year, many Indian players have a great chance to shine in national colors and stake a claim in the squad for the global event.
