For the first time in history, two distinct Indian teams will play at almost the same time in two separate corners of the world, whereas in different formats. While the Virat Kohli-led India Test squad is in England for a five-match Test series, a limited-overs Indian side, possibly captained by Shikhar Dhawan or Hardik Pandya, will play ODIs and T20Is in Sri Lanka. India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri, responded by saying that two distinct squads in separate venues may become a regular thing in the future.
Cricket is to be included in the Olympics in the future- Ravi Shastri
“Playing with two squads in different locations regularly is a possibility in the long run,” Shastri said in the virtual press conference before India left for the UK.
“Well you never know. At the moment it’s happening because of the current situation and restrictions on travel and things of that sort. But you never know. In the future if you want to expand the game, especially in the shorter formats, then it could be the way to go,” said Shastri.
Shastri went on to say that if cricket is to be included in the Olympics in the future, the two-squad concept will help the game expand faster throughout the world.
“You know, why not, when you have that much volume of cricketers and if you want to spread the T20 game across the globe, then that could be the way ahead because if you’re talking of Olympics in four years or eight years” time, you need more countries to play the game. So that could be a way forward,” he added.
Two squads in separate locations may be the standard- Virat Kohli agrees with Ravi Shastri
“With the current structure and the kind of structure that you’re competing inside for a long period of time, it’s very difficult for the players to stay motivated and find the right kind of mental space,” said Kohli.
“You know just confined in one area and just doing the stuff, day in and day out when you’re dealing with high-pressure situations. So, this (two squads) will definitely become a norm for the future,” he added.
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