Xtra Time Web Desk: India captain Shikhar Dhawan said the team management will try out new faces but only if they fit into the best playing XI during the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka, starting here on Sunday. India fielded as many as five debutants in the inconsequential third ODI on Saturday. The left hander did indicate the team management is not averse to trying new faces like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Varun Chakravarthy and Devdutt Padikkal in the coming games, but series win will remain a priority.
“New guys definitely have the opportunity to play. We have to win the series. In the last ODI, there was a good opportunity to give some youngsters a chance and give them a taste of international cricket, because we had already won the series,” Dhawan said during a virtual press conference on Saturday.
“Now it’s a new series, so we will of course go in with our best XI first. We will try to win the first two matches, and then according to the situation, we can experiment in the last game if needed,” Dhawan said.
However, he agreed that the IPL has made these youngsters ready for international cricket.
“Of course they are ready, that’s why they are here. As you saw, youngsters have performed so well in the ODI series, so they’ll be taking that confidence ahead in the T20I series. You will see them perform really well.
“As a team, we have created an amazing environment over here. Really looking forward to do well as a team. Not just the youngsters, even the senior players are looking forward to it.”
The changes in the team will be as per the situation.
“It’s going to be decided according to the situation. As I said, if we win two matches, then we have options to play any combination we want to. Otherwise, our main goal is to play the best XI to win the series.
“That’s our first priority. After that, if we can seal it like we did in the ODIs, we can think of experimenting.”
On a personal note, Dhawan knows that even he is auditioning for a place in the T20 World Cup side.
“It is very important. Of course, any international match has its own impact, and whenever you perform internationally it makes a huge impact.
“So, on a personal note, I am really looking forward to perform over here and make my place more stronger for the World Cup. Then we’ll see how it goes in the future.”