Many Indian players were isolated due to the COVID scare ahead of the 2nd T20I. This gave an opportunity to fringe players getting an opportunity to play in the shorter format. Meanwhile, five players including Devudtt Padikkal, Chetan Sakariya, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nitish Rana made their T20I debuts.
All the players performed extremely well after getting picked in the side a few hours before the game. Many people raised questions about playing so many debutants in a single game. Now, Rahul Dravid, the Indian head coach has come forward backing the new players.
Rahul Dravid Says Everyone In The Squad Is Capable Of Playing For Country On Any Given Day
The Indian head coach Rahul Dravid said that they used few players after winning the ODI series and had the same plan for the T20I series. However, the circumstances were such that they had to pick debutants in the 2nd T20I itself. He added that this didn’t raise questions on players’ ability. Also, he opined that any player, who is part of the squad means that he is capable of playing for India on any given day.
“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 the broadcaster ahead of the start of the 2nd T20I in Colombo.
“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 everytime 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.” he added.
