SLC refutes claims that Indian team is ‘second string’

Saturday, 3 July 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Indian coach Rahul Dravid and Captain Shikhar Dhawan discuss tactics during training

Sri Lanka Cricket has refuted claims made by various parties as reported in the media, that the national white-ball team from India currently touring Sri Lanka is a second-string squad.

In a media release, SLC states that out of the 20-member India squad, 14 players have represented India across all formats (Test, ODI, or T20I) or in some form, and it is not a ‘second-string team’, as claimed.

It also should be mentioned that this tour is taking place, whilst the national Test team of India is touring England to play a five-match Test series versus England.

This is the latest norm in the cricketing world, especially the full ICC Member countries, as they maintain specialist squads and players for each format of the game. The aim of such arrangements is to be competitive in each format of the game by maintaining specialist players and squads.

Apart from it, maintaining separate squads enable cricket boards to fulfil their international commitments unhindered, such as the ICC Future Tours Program.

The Indian team for the white ball series against Sri Lanka held their first training session at the SSC yesterday