Rahul Dravid Defends Team Selection In 2nd ODI Vs WI, Says 'Playing Kohli and Rohit Would Not Have...'

India head coach Rahul Dravid also said that with World Cup so close, they wanted to give everyone enough game time so that they are ready when the need arises.

Rahul Dravid. (Source: Twitter)

Indian coach Rahul Dravid said that India is looking at the bigger picture, which is the World Cup and Asia Cup, and therefore trying different players in the series against the West Indies. India lost to the West Indies by six wickets in Barbados on Sunday in the second ODI match. Speaking to the media, Dravid said that since many players are injured, they are trying out players for backup.

"This was our last chance to be able to try out our players; we have got few of our players who are injured, who are in the NCA. You know, with months to go for the world cup or Asia cup, we are kind of running out of time in a lot of ways, and we are hopeful that some of him will be at least fit for the Asia Cup and the World Cup. But we cannot take our chances as we have to try out other people, so that in a worst case scenario they have game time behind them," he said.

"We will always look into the bigger picture and we cannot think about every single game and series."

Head Coach Rahul Dravid explains #TeamIndia's selection in the second #WIvIND ODI _ pic.twitter.com/65rZUtuIaV

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2023

"In the series like this, with only two-three matches to go before the world cup and Asia cup, playing Virat and Rohit would not have given us answers," the former Indian player added.

When asked about the criticism the Indian team faced over their Playing XI selection, Dravid said that they do not worry about others opinions and want to give opportunities to young players.

"We are not too worried about others opinions, these are the talented boys from our country, they all have performed and come here. It is up to them to take the opportunity when they are given the opportunity. We were little disappointed toward, we knew it was a tricky wicket and not an easy wicket to bat on but we needed to somehow get to 230-240 that could have been a very good score. We lost wickets in the middle and were 50-60 run short," he added.

Dravid said that Surya Kumar Yadav has much to learn in the ODI format, but they are open to giving him opportunities in the team.

"Surya is a really good player, there is no doubt about it, his performance has shown that. Unfortunately, I think he would also be the first one to admit that his ODI have not been up to his own high-standards that he has set in T20s. He is also learning one-day cricket. He is a good player, and we want to give him as many opportunity as we can and then it is up to him to take those opportunities," Dravid added.

"I think Ishan has done really well, again, he is taking the opportunities when he has been given a chance, and that is what we want from young players."