The Champions Trophy is over and now it's time for Team India to keep it's eyes fixed on the 2019 World Cup. And former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, who?has now been given a two-year extension as coach of India A and U-19 teams, feels that time for selectors to take a call on the role of MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh in the current Indian team.
As U-19 and India A coach, Dravid has trained many junior players who have performed well on the big stage. Namely, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samon, Karun Nair and Ishan Kishan are players who have emerged as potential names in the Indian cricket circuit.
"It is a call that is got to be taken by the selectors and the management. And what they see as the road map for Indian cricket, and where they see the role of both these cricketers going ahead for the next couple of years. Is there a place for both of them? Is there a place for only one of them?" he asked.
Suggesting that the next six months or a year is crucial for the Indian team, he said, "Do you want to reassess it in a year's time, six months' time? Do you want to look at the available talent and see what they have to offer before going back to these two players."
India will play the limited overs series in the West Indies beginning Friday with a full strength squad. However, Dravid hopes the youngsters get a chance in the playing eleven.
"They have taken a decision to go to the West Indies with a full-strength squad. I really hope they are willing to experiment at least in the playing XI and give more opportunities to people. If you don't do that, suddenly you don't want to come to a situation and, say, in a year's time, where you say, 'We haven't given people chances so these are the only guys we have got.'
"Better position to be in: 'We have tried everything else, but we still feel that Yuvi and Dhoni are fit, they are playing very well, and they are the guys to see us through.' And no one will complain about that," he said.