The series offers the likes of Pujara, who has six Test centuries but has played in just two one-days. PHOTO: BCCI
India’s fringe players will have a chance to impress the selectors in the build-up to next year’s cricket World Cup on Sunday when they begin a short one-day series tour to Bangladesh.
The visitors are without eight regulars, including captain MS Dhoni and the prolific Virat Kohli, for the three day-night matches, which will all be played at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in the capital Dhaka and led by Suresh Raina.
“The young Indian team is coming up,” said Raina.
“They have done well in the Indian Premier League and first class, so you need to give a chance to youngsters as the World Cup is coming up.”
Just four members of the squad – Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny and Wriddhiman Saha – will fly to England later in the month for a marquee tour comprising five Tests, five ODIs and one Twenty20.
“It is a good opportunity for all the young players who are part of this tour,” said Pujara after being named for the Bangladesh series.
“Playing against Bangladesh in their home conditions won’t be that easy.”
Hosts eager to bounce back
For Bangladesh, it will be their first series under new coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, who has been handed a two-year contract.
Ranked a lowly ninth in ODIs, Bangladesh have had a string of disappointing shows recently with a 3-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka followed by early knockouts from the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 despite being hosts of both tournaments.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said the team had an opportunity to bounce back with a good show against the second-string Indian side.
“I didn’t expect them to take this series so lightly,” said Rahim.
“We have a chance to give a reply on the field. There is extra motivation. And one should not forget that if they lose, India will lose, not India A.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2014.
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No mention of the "traitor" Parvez Rasool ... betraying the Kashmiris (and in effect Pakistan) by playing for India in this match ... taking a couple of wickets as well... why are Pakistanis and Kashmiris silent on this development.. :-)