Mirpur: India's stand-in captain Suresh Raina today said the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh will be a good opportunity for trying out new players ahead of next year's 50-over World Cup.
Defending ODI world champions India play the hosts in the first game. "The World Cup is coming up and you need to try a lot of players. I think it is a good opportunity for youngsters to do really well in this series and see how it goes in upcoming matches," he said.
Raina tried to defend the squad he has been given for the series.
"I don't think they took the series lightly. The England tour is coming up and so few of the players are rested. If you look at the side, all the players have done well in the IPL and first-class cricket."
"I think the Bangladesh captain said we are coming with the A team. We are playing between two countries. It's really important for us to play fearless cricket. A lot of our players have done really well and I think the series is a good platform, to cement their places in the team," the left-handed
batsman, who had a prolific IPL-7 for CSK, said.
In Raina's squad, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu and Amit Mishra are the only ones to have played in India's last 50-over game against a full member.
Players such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Kedar Jadhav, who has had a good IPL-7, and Manoj Tiwary were seen toiling hard during the training session.
Pujara has been keen to assist India's plans for 2015 and had expressed an interest in bowling to help gain a permanent spot in the XI.
"Some players are coming back to the Indian team, some are getting their chance to play. It's important to stick to together," Raina said.
"It is a short tour for us, seven days, three one-dayers and no gaps in between. You have to plan very well and work really hard."
During practice, coach Duncan Fletcher conveyed he would like five minutes with all the new boys.
