Team India are all set to take on Sri Lanka in a limited-overs series from July 18. And, prior to that, the captain Shikhar Dhawan on Saturday opened up on a few aspects of the series. He said that the team management will check out if the regular captain Virat Kohli or coach Ravi Shastri has any specific player in their mind for the all-important ICC T20 World Cup.
Notably, Dhawan will lead a rather young squad in the absence of Virat Kohli where six uncapped players have been added in a six-match limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and this is the last chance to check out the players for the selection in the marquee event in the UAE, which is starting from October 17.
“I haven’t had any specific discussion with Virat or Ravi bhai. But I am sure they must have had some sort of discussion with Rahul bhai and selectors and I am sure we would be conveyed that message,” Shikhar Dhawan told the media before the first ODI on Sunday. “Whoever is playing this series, it is looking at T20 World Cup. Of course, if selectors, Ravi bhai or Virat have some players in mind, we can mutually agree and play that player as this is a good platform. If you want to see someone before World T20, this is the only series you have.”
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While he didn’t share the playing XI, he informed that they have taken a call on his opening partner for the series as well. “We have finalised my opening partner and the team as well, which we are going to disclose tomorrow.”
Like the head coach Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain also said that there is no rule that they will try each and every player in this series as well. And, he also mentioned that their goal will be clear as they would try to win the series at the expense of experimentation as well.
“No, we haven’t yet decided who and how many we will play,” Shikhar Dhawan again shared. “The goal is to win series and the best playing XI will play. Whoever is best spinner will pay. There is no hard and fast rule that we need to play everyone,” he said.
“Of course they (Kuldeep and Chahal) share a great chemistry. They have played so many matches, bowling really well. Even Rahul is a great spinner. We have a bunch of boys bowing well, they are on top of their game and you will see them bowling well,” the captain further added.
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However, the captain also opened up on the difference between playing under Ravi Shastri’s coaching and Rahul Dravid’s coaching. He said that he is enjoying Rahul Dravid’s distinct style of devising strategies.
“They (Dravid and Shastri) both have their own qualities and they both are very positive people. I have spent time with Ravi Bhai (Ravi Shastri) and their ways to motivate are different. Ravi Bhai’s energy is a bit strong, whereas Rahul Bhai (Rahul Dravid) is very calm, composed and strong as well, so everyone has their own way and I enjoy playing under both of them,” Shikhar Dhawan concluded.
