India captain Shikhar Dhawan on Sunday termed the upcoming series as a challenge for Sri Lanka’s limited-overs tour and said matches in the island nation will provide fringe players an opportunity to showcase their talents and be in the running for a spot. in the main team.
“It is a very good team. We have positivity, confidence and everyone is confident that we will do well. There is a lot of enthusiasm,” Dhawan said at the virtual pre-departure press-conference in the presence of head coach Rahul Dravid.
“It is a new challenge but at the same time it is a great opportunity for all of us to showcase our talents. Everyone is waiting (for the tour to start).
“13-14 days have passed since we are in quarantine, so the players are waiting to see when we can hit the ground and we have 10-12 days to prepare.”
In the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli and the main team, which are currently touring England, Dhawan will lead the second-line Indian team in the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka next month. Fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be his deputy.
India will face Sri Lanka in three One Day Internationals and as many Twenty20 matches, starting on July 13 and ending on July 25 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The Indian Cricket Board announced a 20-man squad consisting of all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Young guns like Devdutt Padikkal and Prithvi Shaw are expected to be included in the squad which also has two wicket-keeper batsmen in young Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson. Talking about the composition of the team, Dhawan said: “The boys are working smart and looking forward to these matches. The players have already done well, be it in the IPL.”
The left-handed opener, who is captaining India for the first time, said, “The team is a good mix of experience and youth.”
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
.