JOIN USYoungsters will carry IPL confidence into Sri Lanka series: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Six uncapped players in the squad might make it seem that India have come with an inexperienced group for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka but tour vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar says it is not the case as the entire lot has the requisite confidence, thanks to the IPL.
With major stars like skipper Virat Kohli and his limited-overs deputy Rohit Sharma in England for an upcoming Test series, the Indian team for the series against Sri Lanka is being led by opener Shikhar Dhawan and features half a dozen uncapped players.
Many of them impressed in the suspended Indian Premier League and have been rewarded with their maiden India call-up. They include Devdutt Padikkal, pacer Chetan Sakaria, Nitish Rana, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Varun Chakravarthy.
"We have good players and they have the experience of the IPL, they are young but they have been playing T20 for so many years and they have done well for their teams," said Bhuvneshwar on the Star Sports show Follow the Blues.
"So, it will be beneficial for the team that they will carry the IPL confidence and they are young and talented, there is a good mix with the experienced players and this will be a good tour.
"Young players have come for their first tour and came after doing well in the IPL. So, if they do well here, then it will be great for their confidence," the pacer said.
The senior pacer had suffered a thigh muscle injury during last year's IPL, which ruled him out of the league as well as the tour of Australia.
The bowler made a return to the national squad after a long injury lay-off in the limited-overs home series against England in March. He said that playing domestic cricket helped him to stay motivated.
"When I was almost recovered, domestic cricket was going on as well. So, my focus was to get fit and make a comeback and then, I started the preparation for the match," he said.
"Before the England series, I played domestic cricket so that it helps me get the required match practice. One shouldn't take things lightly while playing domestic cricket and that kept me motivated to play for India and to stay fit," he added.
The India-Sri Lanka series, which was originally slated to begin with three ODIs from July 13, had to be rescheduled after the home team's batting coach Grant Flower and data analyst G T Niroshan tested positive for Covid-19 on their return from their UK tour.
The engagement, which comprises three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals, will now start from July 18.