India and Australia are playing in a three-day ODI series. The first one-day match is happening on Thursday. It is commencing in Mohali. The ODI series is the last competitive game before the ICC World Cup. The ICC World Cup will be happening on October 5th. It will commence in India.
Rahul Dravid said senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will not play in the first two ODIs as they are on rest. It is the reason that the team management wants the two players to rest and mentally refresh for the third ODI match.
The two players will be back on the third one-dayer.
Dravid said in a press conference, “It is in this ODI series that the two boys will not play the first two ODI games. Other players will play the tough game by understanding the rules. It is nice to witness the other players get this opportunity before the World Cup.”
He adds, “Rohit and Virat should return to the game with a fresh mental and physical headspace. They are amazing cricket players with years of experience. And they know how to prepare and get back to the big game. We had a brief discussion about it with the players and concluded.
Before every game, we discuss and ask them how they would like to prepare for a gigantic event. And we come to a mutual conclusion.”
The spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin is set to bowl at ODI after a year. Rahul Dravid, the coach, clarifies that Ashwin was always in the plans. It will be delightful to watch Ashwin roll the ball on the field.
Dravid continued, “Ravichandran Ashwin’s experience always works for us. He can play with the bat. He takes up the field in case someone is injured or absent, or if there’s an opportunity. He was always in the plan. He doesn’t have much of an ODI cricket idea. But his experience makes him capable of playing it without a second thought.”
About Suryakumar Yadav in the ODI, Rahul Dravid added that he will be the management’s priority in future games.
Dravid said, “We will back him up in all the games. The reason is his ability and experience in T201 cricket matches. He can flip the game by making a significant impact at number six. We will always have his back. Also, we hope to see him turn around the game and walk towards his ODI cricketer journey.”
Regarding the decrease in part-time bowlers, Dravid said there is a change in the fielding rules. Currently, the rule is to have five fielders within the ring. The rule was to have four fielders.
He said, “I assume it is the change in the game rules. Now we need to go ahead with five fielders instead of four. It has transformed the part-time bowler’s ability to play in the middle. Players like Sachin, Ganguly, and Sehwag started when there were four fielders allowed within the ring. Earlier, we could use part-time bowlers in the game. Now, part-time bowlers’ names have decreased on other teams as well. The other reason behind this is the two new balls. Plus, the five-fielder rule within the ring is also a reason. It has made it difficult for the part-time bowlers to play in the middle. We are working on part-time bowlers and other bowlers with the bat.”
Dravid also concluded that the team is now playing with its full strength and zeal. The players return strong and healthy to the game. The players are fully ready for the World Cup.
