Winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka without key players like captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh has proved that India has a strong pool of reserve players for 2011 cricket World Cup, according to chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth.
Notwithstanding Dhoni and Yuvraj’s absence, India defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the fourth one—dayer in Kolkata to take an uassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series with last ODI scheduled to be held at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi on Sunday.
Dhoni missed the last two games in Cuttack and Kolkata due to a two-match ban imposed on him for his side’s slow over-rate in the second ODI in Nagpur while Yuvraj had been ruled out after the third match due to a finger injury.
“Winning the series in Dhoni and Yuvraj’s absence shows that we have strong bench strength. The youngsters have stepped in at crucial junctures. Virat Kohli came in for Yuvraj Singh in ODIs and (Murali) Vijay for Gautam (Gambhir) in Tests,” Srikkanth told reporters at the Palam ground here today during the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match between Tamil Nadu and Delhi.
“The good thing is that now there is healthy competition in the team. The last two months have been good and I am happy with the way the team has played.
“Just like Test cricket, I want the team to become the No. 1 in One-day cricket too. But nothing would be greater than winning the 2011 World Cup,” he said.
