Indian cricket continues to receive praise from the fraternity for its squad depth and the system they have put in place. The years of hard work and systematic planning and resulted in BCCI being able to send two squads for two different tours at the same time. Joining the bandwagon is MSK Prasad, who stated that the hard work put in by selectors over the last five years is now paying rich dividends.
For the first time in 23 years, India will field two different in two different countries at the same time. While the senior team, led by Virat Kohli, will take on England in a five-match Test series on English soil, a young, Shikhar Dhawan-led will play Sri Lanka in three ODIs and as many T20Is. This bilateral showdown will begin on July 18 in Colombo.
While speaking to The Indian Express, former chairman of selectors Prasad applauded India A tours and the IPL for giving a platform to youngsters to perform and shine.
“There have been numerous India A tours during my tenure as a selector. The senior team management, along with the national selectors and India A head staff would sit down and identify fringe players and hand them opportunities for the smooth transition to take place. It’s a process of over 5 years that’s bearing dividends."
{{/usCountry}}“There have been numerous India A tours during my tenure as a selector. The senior team management, along with the national selectors and India A head staff would sit down and identify fringe players and hand them opportunities for the smooth transition to take place. It’s a process of over 5 years that’s bearing dividends."
{{/usCountry}}The India A team played 24 unofficial Tests between 2017 and 2019, a tally which more than that of New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Moreover, no other team has featured in more than 14 unofficial Tests.
Meanwhile, the men's senior team has traveled to Durham after enjoying a 20-day break post the culmination of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand. The first Test will begin on August 4 at Trent Bridge.