Rahul Dravid Picture Credit: BCCI
Team India head coach for the Sri Lanka tour, Rahul Dravid, has stated that it will be unrealistic to expect that everyone in the Indian squad gets an opportunity to play on the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Speaking at a press conference before the team's departure to Sri Lanka, Dravid said that the team management won't be able to give a chance to everyone since it's not a 'developmental level' tour.
Dravid expressed, "There are 20 odd players on this trip. It's unrealistic to expect from us to give everyone an opportunity. It's very different from working at a developmental level. There are lot of people in the squad who are pushing for places or looking to cement their places in the T20 World Cup. But the key goal for everyone in the squad is to try and win the series. That’s the primary objective."
Whether young players get called up for the T20 World Cup is for the selectors to decide: Dravid
Dravid further mentioned that young players like Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be extremely keen to do well in the series to stake a claim in the T20 World Cup squad. However, it will be up to the selectors to take a call on the same.
"For a lot more people other than Prithvi Shaw as well. Someone like Devdutt Padikkal or Ruturaj Gaikwad, a lot of the younger boys will be extremely keen to do well," Dravid mentioned.
"Whether they (Younger players) get called up for the T20 World Cup is for the selectors to take. But certainly a good performance against international oppositions will help. If you can do well at this level, the selectors will certainly take note. No tour is a life and death situation; it’s not like just because you do well against Sri Lanka, you’ll make it, or vice versa. But performing in the pressure of international cricket, the selectors will certainly take note."
Coaching India is an opportunity for me to learn and improve: Dravid
Rahul Dravid also opened up on what the tour means to him as a coach. He opined that it's an exciting opportunity for him to learn and improve as a coach.
"It’s a great blend of experienced players and fresh players. As a coach, it’s quite an exciting situation because you know if you create a good environment, everyone will learn a lot. We have to be together as a large group, there are opportunities to learn and grow. As a coach, you’re always learning from every experience. You learn about yourself and about cricket. It’s another opportunity for me to learn and improve. I’m quite excited," Dravid concluded.