Even though Arjuna Ranatunga had his reservations about Sri Lanka playing against a second-string Indian side led by veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan, head coach Micky Arthur has labelled the Men In Bue as the ‘Galacticos’ of the gentlemen’s game. The Sri Lanka head coach has admitted that he is a bit jealous of the stocks the Indian team has at its disposal in the white-ball setup. Team India is set to kickstart their limited-overs assignment in Sri Lanka with the upcoming One Day Internationals (ODI) series.
Praising the incredibly talented Team India side ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, Arthur admitted that even the second-string unit of the Men In Blue features some of the biggest talents in world cricket. The former Pakistan head coach and current manager of the Sri Lankan national team said that the hosts are under no illusion as they acknowledge the firepower Team India possesses. Coached by Rahul Dravid, the Indian side will feature some of the biggest names from the house of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Arthur feels that the visitors have sent an IPL All-Stars XI for the white-ball series in the island nation.
“We are very much in a transitional phase at the moment. We are trying out a lot of young players and trying out our best combinations. We are under no illusion because we know this is a wonderful Indian team. The Indian team is amazing, they have got so many good cricketers – it is like an IPL All Stars XI,” the Sri Lanka head coach was quoted as saying.
The Indian team will be without the services of star players including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming Sri Lanka series. Team India will play three ODIs and as many T20Is with Sri Lanka. The twin-white ball series between India and Sri Lanka will begin on July 18.
“They are incredibly talented and I often feel that they are Galacticos. These guys are wonderful players and I am often awed by the talents that are available for the selectors, Ravi Shastri or a Rahul Dravid. I can’t help but get a bit jealous at the stocks they have at their disposal,” Arthur added.
