NCA head VVS Laxman said that the national selectors will have a difficult task of picking the right Indian team for the 2023 ODI World Cup, as the team's entire focus was on the preparations for the T20 World Cup 2022, starting on October 16 in Australia.
The legendary batter further admitted that it will be tough for the youngsters to find a place in the team in ODI cricket when the senior players return to the side after the T20 World Cup in 2022.
Notably, Laxman is currently performing head coach’s duty for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, as Rahul Dravid left for Australia with Team India for the T20 World Cup 2022.
As reported by News18, VVS Laxman said ahead of the first ODI: “It’ll be difficult for the selectors to get the right team going into the 2023 50-over World Cup. All the youngsters are doing well, they know that they’ll not get too many opportunities once the main players return, but this is a chance to perform well and keep themselves in the hunt when the strongest side is being picked.”
Speaking on frequently donning the coach’s hat for India in the absence of Dravid, the NCA head noted: “It’s worked well so far (as a back-up coach), it started from the Ireland series, the one England T20I (1st match) and the Zimbabwe series. Obviously, need to cover up for Rahul (Dravid) given his work commitments and the T20 WC coming up now.”
Laxman also said that India have a strong bench strength and that makes it difficult to pick the playing XI, but they are all looking forward to grabbing the opportunity in the ODI series against South Africa.
He signed off by saying, “Have a good bunch of cricketers, they are all looking forward to the series, the competition between them is good, we are spoiled for choices considering the amount of talent we have.”
