India skipper Virat Kohli wants to assign specific roles to players during the ODI series against Sri Lanka starting today, keeping the 2019 ICC World Cup in mind
India skipper Virat Kohli during practice on eve of the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on Saturday. Pic /PTI
India captain Virat Kohli wants specific roles for certain players keeping a two-year time frame leading upto the 2019 World Cup, in mind.
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"For us, it is about the time frame. It is not about which opposition we are playing. You can't pick and choose. I have never believed in that and we as a team don't believe in that," Kohli said when asked about whether he will use players depending on the opposition. "Two years to go for the World Cup and now is the time to give players certain roles to get into the groove and understand what we need to do," said Kohli.
The skipper confirmed that KL Rahul is a certainty in that middle-order while Kedar Jadhav and Manish Pandey will be fighting for the remaining middle-order slot.
Rahul will be batting at No. 4, chairman of selectors MSK Prasad had said but skipper doesn't want any set pattern. "KL will definitely be playing in the middle-order. We are not going to be predictable or have a set pattern anymore in terms of what we are going to do in ODI or T20 cricket.
Anyone could go anywhere. That's what we are looking to do," said the skipper. He indicated that Pandey may have to wait. "Someone like Manish, he has done well and has grabbed his opportunities. He is a superfit guy and has a bright future ahead of him.
"All three guys [including Kedar Jadhav] will have to compete for two spots in the middle-order. There are no guarantees I would say," he said.
With regards to the bowling combination for this first ODI, picking three spinners is not an option for the skipper one day ahead of the game.
"I don't see having three spinners on this track. I have played here in the past. It is probably a three-fast bowler kind of a pitch."
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