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Kolkata Knight Riders

about a year ago

India's limited overs team, which is currently in Mumbai, is all set to depart for Sri Lanka to play 3 ODIs and 3 T20s, starting next month.

Ahead of the departure, team coach Rahul Dravid insisted that the aim is to win the series, and while doing that, it is unrealistic to give every youngster a chance to play.

"When you are in a developmental level or working at the pathway level, the goals are different. We have a really different goal here. It's a short series so it won't be possible to give everyone an opportunity," Dravid said in the pre-departure press conference.

"The selectors are there and we'll come up with what we think is the best combination to try and win the series. There are a lot of young kids and this will be a great experience for them even if they don't play just the opportunity to be with the Indian team and interact with the likes of [Shikhar] Dhawan, Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar], and other senior players. They can learn a lot. In principle ... there are a lot of youngsters on this tour and a lot of them will get an opportunity. Will everyone get an opportunity? Probably with a squad of 20 is a bit unrealistic," he added.

Dravid, who will be coaching the second-string India team in absence of the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, stated that the selectors might have already made their minds up for T20 World Cup squad and would perhaps be only looking to fill in a few spots.

"The primary objective is to try and win the series and hopefully people get the opportunity to put in some really good performances. These are the only three games before the World Cup.

"I am sure that you know the selectors and management would have a pretty fair idea by now as to what is the kind of squad that they are looking for. There is an opportunity for maybe one or two places that, maybe, the team management or the selectors might be looking for, spots that they might want to fill, and give them a few more options," he added.