DHAKA: The Indian cricket team will get an opportunity to test its bench strength when its fringe players led by Suresh Raina square off against minnows Bangladesh in a short three-match ODI series starting here on Sunday.
The decision by the BCCI to rest seven key players including skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, his deputy Virat Kohli and premier batsman Rohit Sharma provides the likes of Robin Uthappa, Manoj Tiwary, Parveez Rasool and Akshar Patel a chance to showcase their skills against a Bangladesh side led by the gutsy Mushfiqur Rahim.
However, the absence of Dhoni and Co has definitely taken the much-needed sheen off the series which incidentally has also coincided with the FIFA World Cup making it even more inconsequential from a viewer’s perspective.
Such has been the lack of interest, that none of the top Indian broadcasters had committed to air the series live in India until a last minute decision taken by Star Sports.
This is the official start of the new international season as far as India is concerned and the players would like to hit the straps straightaway coming from a two-week break after a hectic Indian Premier League assignment.
“The World Cup is coming up and you need to try a lot of players. I think it is a good opportunity for youngsters to do really well in this series and see how it goes in upcoming matches,” Raina said.
“Some players are coming back to the Indian team, some are getting their chance to play. It’s important to stick to together,” he added. (PTI)
