India captain Shubman Gill dismissed reports of a communication gap between the team management and the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, saying there has been constant communication over the fitness of players recovering from injuries.
There had been speculation over strained communication between the two sides after three players who were initially named in India’s squad were ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Gill, speaking to the media a day before the first Test, insisted that the team management remains in regular touch with the CoE and is closely monitoring the progress of players undergoing rehabilitation.
“There is a constant communication with them. Unfortunately Sai Sudharsan did not improve as much as we liked as we can’t take risks in Tests. But we are confident of our 15 (players),” Gill said at the pre-match press conference.
Gill said the length of a Test match meant India could not afford to take chances with players who were not fully fit.
“The Test match is for 5 days. If it’s one-day or T20, then it’s a different story. But in the Test match, you don’t want to take a risk. I feel that in the Test match, you have more opportunities with other players (to come back).
“For example, if you don’t play well on the first day, you get another chance. So, the players have more chances to come back. So, keeping that in mind, we were a little disappointed (with Sai and Bumrah).
“But it didn’t affect the morale of the team that much that they didn’t get the first 11. I feel that whoever is in our 15 or whoever we give a chance in our playing 11 in any condition, they can play well and win the game,” he said.
India will also begin the series with Ravindra Jadeja as their only all-rounder, with Washington Sundar still recovering from injury.
Gill, however, backed young Manav Suthar to make a contribution if he is called upon during the series.
“I think that’s where someone like Manav coming in. He’s got the ability with the bat. Of course, you need a bit of experience, you need some belief and confidence and that will only come once you’re out there playing, when you score some runs.
“And hopefully he does that in the series. He’s someone with a great skill with bowling. And he’s got the potential to be able to be a really good number 8 batsman as well,” Gill said.
Despite the changes to the squad, Gill believes India have had enough preparation ahead of the series.
A few players featured in India A matches last month, while several frontline players got an opportunity to experience the local conditions during a match against an SLC XI last week.
“If the scheduling allows us to have at least a week or 10 days before the Test match starts, it obviously helps with the preparation. Even last year we had a quite busy schedule – playing in England and then playing in the Asia Cup, then playing a Test match in India.
“So, it’s never easy for the players to be able to adapt. And most of the players in this team, I think, require a bit of time to adjust with the conditions. It’s not like a lot of the players have a lot of matches or a lot of experience under their belts. So, the extra time in preparation definitely helps,” he said.
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