Opening Battle Between Shaw & Padikkal After Dravid Says ‘Unrealistic’ To Feature Everyone

With Rahul Dravid as its head coach, India’s second-string squad led by Shikhar Dhawan is all set to leave for a limited-overs series in Sri Lanka. 

The Indian batting legend, after shaping the careers of many youngsters at India A, Under-19 level, is set to guide the senior men’s team for the first time ever in his coaching career and people are elated, especially those who have since long been demanding him be given the charge of the senior squad. 

Under Dravid’s tutelage, the Under-19 team, led by Prithvi Shaw, became world champions which was his first major assignment since retiring from international cricket. 

During his stint with the junior team, Dravid made sure that every player who was picked in the 15-member squad got a chance to play the game. 

All SET!

Sri Lanka bound 🇱🇰 ️#TeamIndia 🇮🇳 #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/eOMmiuxi28

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 28, 2021

However, now that he is in charge of the senior team — albeit a second-string side — Dravid said it would be unrealistic to give every player a chance in the Playing XI as the team’s priority would be to win the series. 

“…I think it’s probably going to be unrealistic to expect us in a short tour like this with three games, or three one-dayers to give everyone an opportunity…and the selectors will be there as well,” Dravid said during the pre-departure press conference. 

What does the #SLvIND limited-overs series mean for everyone involved with the Indian team?

Here’s what Rahul Dravid – #TeamIndia Head Coach for the Sri Lanka series – has to say pic.twitter.com/ObUgFdhStj

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 27, 2021

“There are a lot of people in this squad who are pushing for places or looking to cement their places in the World Cup coming up, but I think the key goal of everyone in the squad and in the team…is to try and win the series,” Dravid added. 

The squad is filled with some of the most exciting young talents in the country, including six uncapped players, who earned the national call-up after proving their mettle in the Indian Premier League. 

However, only a handful of those are in contention for a place in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. 

It’s an honour to lead the Indian team. @SDhawan25 shares his emotions on captaining Sri Lanka-bound #TeamIndia & working with Rahul Dravid. 🇮🇳 #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/E5J0b8KjJA

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 27, 2021

“The primary objective is to try and win the series and hopefully people get the opportunity to put in some really good performances. These are the only three games before the World Cup. There is an opportunity for maybe one or two places that, maybe, the team management or the selectors might be looking for, spots that they might want to fill, and give them a few more options. 

© Instagram Devdutt Padikkal

“That would be the goal probably over the next three T20s and to win the series. It is slightly different (from the A tour). When you’re at a developmental level all of those tours are slightly different to something like this. 

“It will be a great learning experience for the young kids even if they don’t get to play,” the former India skipper said. 

© Instagram Prithvi Shaw

Youngsters like Devdutt Padikkal, Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad who all have opened the innings at some stage either for their state teams or the IPL franchises are competing for a place at the top of the order. 

But going by Dravid’s comments, it seems likely that not all of them will get a chance in the starting XI. With Dhawan being the skipper he will definitely open the innings which makes it interesting to see who between Shaw and Padikkal gets the nod to open the batting alongside him. 

Shaw has already represented India in the longest format and the fact that he opens the batting with Dhawan for Delhi Capitals might also tilt the tide in his favour.