'It's a strong second-string side' -Mohammad Kaif excited to see India's youngsters in action during Sri Lanka tour

The Indian cricket team are set for a busy period ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year. There is a five-match Test series set to take place in England. Before that, the team will be touring Sri Lanka for a white-ball series. However, in an interesting twist, there will be two wholly different squads for both tours. The key members of the Indian cricket team are in England, whereas a younger, more different side are in Sri Lanka. It is this that led to former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga saying that India’s ‘second-string’ side are touring the nation. However, former India international Mohammad Kaif believes this side are a very strong unit.

“This is a strong team, even if it’s a so-called second-string side. There are a number of talented players in the side,” Kaif said in response to a SportsLumo question during a media interaction.

The 40-year-old former cricketer is excited to see a number of talented youngsters in action. He also believes they will be eager to potentially grab a chance of making the T20 World Cup side.

“For instance, Suryakumar Yadav has played well in IPL and domestic cricket for years and is still waiting for his big chance.

“Ishan Kishan is in good form as well, as is Sanju Samson. There’s also Manish Pandey, who isn’t new as such but we often forget how good he is.

“This is an important tour for Pandey; he needs to play big innings to make a comeback. Prithvi Shaw didn’t have a good tour of Australia but he has been in good touch in domestic and IPL cricket.

“I think the youngsters will be hungry to prove themselves and stake a claim for being part of the T20 World Cup side.”

Mohammad Kaif picks senior players to watch

However, the side doesn’t only feature young or uncapped players keen to make an impact. It also has a number of players who are established but working their way back to fitness.

The likes of Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar come to mind in that regard. Spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will also be up for selection in this series. Mohammad Kaif believes that the older pros are likelier to be picked early on.

“I believe for the ODIs, (Rahul) Dravid will pick players who have been in the set-up. Experienced players will be picked on priority for the first couple of games.

“I am interested to see how the likes of Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar perform. If Hardik starts to bowl it will be great because as an all-rounder he is crucial and brings balance to the team.

“And Bhuvneshwar is not part of the Test side now so there will be focus on how he does. I am also keen to see how the duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav do. Especially Kuldeep since he hasn’t played much lately.”

Of course, the series will also see Rahul Dravid make his debut as interim coach of the India men’s senior team. Dravid, who has previously coached U-19 and India A sides, is currently heading the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

And Kaif believes his experience of working with younger players will come in good stead for this series.

“Dravid as a coach likes to keep things simple; he doesn’t complicate things. He’s done a good job with youngsters in the past. Most of them would be aware of how he functions and that helps a lot.

“His main focus will be on ensuring the players get the job done, regardless of technique or style.”

‘Competition for playing XI strong’

The aim of the coach and the players will of course be to win the series. Even if it might seem odd that a national team are playing a number of games with younger players.

But, according to Mohammad Kaif, the players will be keen to grab whatever chances they get to impress.

“There is so much competition for spots that every match is taken seriously by every player. It’s not often you get a chance to play for India in such circumstances.

“People may say Sri Lanka aren’t very strong but as a player you want to go out there and try your best. You want to cement your spot in the Indian team.”

The fact that the players were unable to play much due to the COVID-19 situation in India getting worse will also motivate players to do well. After all, the IPL 2021 was postponed and players missed out on valuable time on the field.

For his part, Kaif believes the layoff won’t have affected the players and they will be keen to get out on the field.

“I don’t think the COVID-19 related layoff will affect the Indian team too much. They’ve been there (in Sri Lanka) for two weeks now and are training hard. And most were playing the IPL beforehand too.

“Of course, the lockdown and following break doesn’t help but the players will be fine. They are playing in subcontinent conditions and that helps. They will be looking forward to playing matches now.”

(Watch the 1st ODI on 18th July 2021 LIVE on SONY TEN 1 and SONY SIX in English from 3.00 pm IST)