In the absence of eight regular players including captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and run-machine Virat Kohli, makeshift Indian skipper Suresh Raina thinks that the three-match ODI series against hosts Bangladesh beginning from today will be a good challenge for his young side. Raina, in his third stint as captain of the national team, also backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their decision to send an under-strength side.
“I think it’s a good contest between India and Bangladesh as both the sides are playing with new players. Both the teams are young so we are all looking forward to it,” Raina told the media yesterday.
“I don’t think they (the board) took the decision lightly. If you look at the young side, a lot of players have done well in the IPL (Indian Premier League) and first-class cricket. You have to give chances to the youngsters. The [2015 ICC] world cup is coming and you need to try a lot of players. I think it’s a good opportunity for the youngsters to do really well in this series and see how it goes in the upcoming matches,” said the 27-year old left-handed batsman.
The visiting Indian side have three uncapped players in Kedar Jadhav, Akshar Patel and Parvez Rasool with the trio performing credibly in IPL 7 while the quartet of Manoj Tiwary, Cheteshwar Pujara and Robin Uthappa alongside wicket-keeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha returned to the national set-up after a long hiatus.
“It’s a great opportunity for all the players to do well. Some are coming back to the Indian team, some are getting their chance to play. It’s important to stick together. It’s a short tour for us where we have to play three ODIs in seven days and no gaps in between. So you have to plan very well and work really hard,” he added.
Raina refused to engage himself in a war of words with his counterpart Mushfiqur Rahim with the Bangladesh captain recently declaring a number of times that the visitors might have under-estimated the hosts by sending a weakened squad.
“I think the Bangladesh captain said we are coming with the A team. Actually, we are playing between two countries. It’s really important for us to play fearlessly. It will be a great battle between India and Bangladesh,” he added.
Following the first ODI today, the second and third one-dayers will be held on June 17 and 19 respectively. All the games will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.