India will tackle Australia in a three-match ODI collection, commencing with the primary ODI in Mohali on Thursday. This collection serves as India’s final aggressive engagement earlier than the ICC World Cup, which is ready to start on October 5 and will likely be hosted in India.Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahulwill lead the group within the absence of Rohit within the first two video games.Nonetheless, each Rohit and Virat will return for the ultimate one-dayer.
“It is among the collection, the place you might have seen that a few of our boys should not enjoying the primary two video games. We are going to rotate our pacers a bit. Will probably be good for another guys that they’re given this chance to play three robust video games earlier than the World Cup,” mentioned Dravid in a pre-match press convention.
“I feel with individuals like Rohit and Virat, from our perspective, it can be crucial that they attain the primary sport of the World Cup with the bodily and psychological headspace they wish to be in. With the quantity of cricket they’ve performed, they know how you can put together themselves for these large video games. A number of these choices are mentioned with them. We talk about with them how they want to put together main upto large occasions. Based mostly on these discussions, we give you these mutual choices,” he added.
On the return of spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin to the ODI set-up after a 12 months, Dravid clarified that the spinner was at all times within the plans.
“Having somebody of Ashwin’s expertise is at all times good for us. He offers you expertise, the flexibility to contribute with the bat at quantity eight. He’s somebody we taught about in case of an damage or a possibility opened up. He was at all times in our plans. He has not performed a lot ODI cricket for some time, however somebody of his expertise can take care of that,” mentioned the coach.
Questioned on Suryakumar Yadav‘s lean patch in ODIs, Dravid mentioned that the group administration will proceed to again him.
“We again him totally, as a result of he has received a sure high quality and skill, largely in T20I cricket. However we all know how a lot impression he could make at quantity six with the bat and alter the course of the sport. There’s complete readability that we again him. Hopefully, he’ll be capable of flip it round and can get these video games to work on his journey as an ODI cricketer,” he added.
Speaking in regards to the lack of part-time bowlers within the squad, Dravid mentioned that it has to do with the change in guidelines of fielding, as with occasions, there are actually 5 fielders contained in the ring as a substitute of 4.
“I feel it might be due to the rule change, that you just go from 4 fielders contained in the ring to 5. It has modified the flexibility of part-time bowlers to bowl within the center part. A number of these gamers began (former batters like Sachin, Sehwag and Ganguly who may bowl) when there was 4 fielders within the ring. Throughout that point, we and quite a lot of groups may use part-time bowlers. The listing of part-time bowlers has gone down in different groups too. It is usually due to two new balls, and 5 fielders within the ring throughout center overs. It has turn out to be tough for part-time bowlers to bowl in it. Extra captains, and coaches are differ of the principles and can look to play real bowlers/all-rounders within the combine due to these guidelines. We’re engaged on part-time bowlers and bowlers who can bat,” mentioned Dravid.
The coach agreed that the group, now nearly enjoying at its full power with the return of gamers from accidents, is ticking quite a lot of containers forward of the World Cup.
“After I began (As a coach), the main focus was on T20 World Cup 2022. In the course of the first 12 months, the primary gamers didn’t play ODIs as a result of the main focus was on Assessments and ODIs. In these 2-Three years, there was much less ODI cricket as nicely. Within the Asia Cup, we nearly performed a full-strength aspect. We attempt to play full-strength group throughout large matches,” he concluded.
(With ANI inputs)
