Indian head coach Rahul Dravid said that this is the last chance for the team management to try out fringe players, who can make it into the India squad for the World Cup. Rohit Sharma-led side tried out some new faces in the 2nd ODI against the Men in Maroon, but the players could not make an impact for the team in the game.
Team India has struggled with a spate of injuries in recent months, which include Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Prasidh Krishna, as the team management is trying to find a few new players, who can be backups in the India squad for the ODI World Cup later this year.
Speaking to the media after the game against Windies, Rahul Dravid feels that it is an opportunity for the Indian team management to try out some players as they have four injured players in the NCA and reckons that the team is running out of time to finalize the core team for the Asia Cup and World Cup, as he wants to give players some game time going into the mega event.
“Honestly, this was our last chance to try some of our players. We have got four of our players who are injured and are in the NCA. With days to go for the Asia Cup and then the World Cup, we are kind of running out of time in a lot of ways.
“And we are hoping that some of them will be for the Asia Cup and the World Cup but we can’t take those chances. We have to try out other people and give them chances so that in worst case scenario they at least have game time behind them,” Rahul Dravid said.
The Men in Blue have failed to do well in ICC competitions in recent times and have not won a global tournament since winning the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. All eyes will be on Team India as fans desperately expect them to finally end their long wait for an ICC title.
Playing Kohli And Rohit Would Have Not Given Us Any Answers – Rahul Dravid
“It also gives us the opportunity to make some decisions on players. Honestly in a series like this with 2-3 matches to go before the Asia Cup, playing Kohli and Rohit would have not given us any answers.
“But with the injuries we have in the NCA and some uncertainty around them we just wanted to give others a chance,” Rahul Dravid added.
India was the first team to win the World Cup at home in 2011 and will have the opportunity to become the first team to do it twice this year. Rohit Sharma’s led side will open their campaign in ICC World Cup 2023 on October 8 with a mouthwatering clash against 5-time champions Australia.