Shikhar Dhawan will captain India for the 1st time on Sri Lanka tour.
Shikhar Dhawan will gear up to captain an India senior team for the first time in his career, and called it a new challenge. He was confident that the positivity and excitement in the squad would ensure a successful limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka while speaking at the pre-departure presser.
Dhawan will lead a team of youngsters with six uncapped players for a series of 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is in Sri Lanka which begins on July 13. All matches to be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo behind closed doors.
Ahead of the squad's departure on Sunday, Dhawan said the two-week quarantine has helped the bonding among the players and hoped that it will reflect in performances on the ground.
"This is a very good team. There is positivity, confidence in our team and everybody is confident that we will do well. There is a lot of excitement. It is a new challenge but at the same time, it is a great opportunity for all of us to show our talent. Everybody is waiting (for the tour to begin),” Dhawan said at the virtual press conference in the presence of tour head coach Rahul Dravid.
The BCCI named a 20-member squad for the Sri Lanka tour that has all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal from the senior lot. On the other hand, there are six uncapped players as well, who would be hoping for some game time.
"The team is a nice blend of experience and youth," said the left-handed opener.
"It is a great honor for me to be the captain of the Indian team and looking forward to it. At the same time, as a team, we are working with Rahul Bhaiya' (Rahul Dravid). I have played under his coaching once for India A, so I feel that we guys sync together, the support staff and the team and we are looking forward to this series.
There is a nice blend of seniors and youngsters and as seniors, it is a good opportunity for us, the experience we have gained, be it from our success or failures, we can communicate as we spend time together," he said.
(PTI inputs)