India were required to play their entire 11 players in the 2nd T20I versus Sri Lanka in Colombo, despite having 9 players in quarantine. Covid-19 had such tremendous influence on the Indian squad that the management team had no other option. Rahul Dravid says players chosen in squad good enough.
‘Selectors don’t pick you to be on holiday’: Rahul Dravid says players chosen in squad good enough to represent India
Almost all of the inexperienced youngsters who had been included in India’s team were expected to have an opportunity at some time, similar to what happened in the 3rd ODI, but the conditions were that those possibilities came just that little early.
Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chetan Sakariya, and Nitish Rana made their T20I debuts on Wednesday, while India coach Rahul Dravid highlighting the significance of considering reserve players as prospects strong enough to represent India.
I don’t really think that the selectors select you to warm the bench or for a holiday: Dravid
There has been a lot of speculation that many players are being given India caps, but the India coach denied this and stated that everybody who is selected in the team is qualified to serve India in its 11-man lineup.
“After we wrapped up the ODI series, we tried to give a few people a chance. Obviously, circumstances here have forced us to do it here even before we managed to win the series. But I truly believe that if you’re selected to play for India – whether it’s 15 players or 20 players – you’re good enough to play in the XI. I don’t really think that the selectors select you in the 15 just to warm the bench or for a holiday,” Dravid told in an Interaction.
On a slow Colombo surface, many of the young team players, however, were able to obtain the great opportunity, and India lost the nail-biting match by 4- wickets. With the final on Thursday, the series is currently tied at 1-1.
“Certainly, that’s not the message I have been given. I look at the squad, the 20 guys who are here, each of them has got here through sheer weight of performances. It’s not easy in India. People earn the right to come here. It’s not every time that we’re going to give everyone a chance here but it’s really nice to be able to give as many as you can.”
Dravid feels that the players on the team have taken the opportunity to be there. According to Dravid, all 5 players who started the Sri Lanka series would just have played at least 1 match before the series.
“They are earning their India caps. I don’t get that argument. As I said, if you’re selected in a team of 15 – with Covid now it’s become 20, you are selected keeping in mind that you may need to play in the 11 at any given point of time. You have certainly earned the right to get that cap. It’s up to you to take that opportunity and perform. I truly believe everyone who’s here has earned it,” he concluded.
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