India tour of Sri Lanka 3rd ODI match started on Friday, July 23 at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The match saw many highlights like change in half of the playing XI and Shikhar Dhawan winning his first toss. However, before the match started ‘The Wall’ of Indian cricket Rahul Dravid was seen doing shadow batting.
Notably legendary Indian batsman Rahul Dravid has been appointed as Head coach for the Sri Lanka tour. The original Head coach of team India; Ravi Shastri is busy with the five-match Test series in England. So in absence of Shastri India gave the Head Coach position to one of the most respected cricketers of all time Rahul Dravid.
So far Shikhar Dhawan-led side has done a pretty exceptional job under coach Dravid. Notably, India won the 3-match ODI series by defeating Sri Lanka in the first two encounters itself.
Talking about Rahul Dravid, he is the main man behind the strong bench strength in India currently. Throughout the years Rahul has produced big players under him who are playing for India.
Before the 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka started Dravid was seen doing shadow batting. Sony Sports India uploaded a video on Twitter and wrote :
“Coach Rahul channelizing his inner Dravid before the big game! ”
Coach Rahul channelising his inner Dravid before the big game! 😇#SLvIND, 3rd ODI, LIVE – WATCH NOW!
📺 Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 4, Sony SIX#JeetneKiZid #HungerToWin #SLvIND #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/tbahpGpc1V— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 23, 2021
India make 6 changes in the final ODI against Sri Lanka
The biggest highlight of the 3rd ODI was team India introducing 5 new faces to the ODI cricket. However, the players have got a pretty good domestic experience and are ready to deliver for India. The list of players includes Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Chetan Sakariya, Krishnappa Gowtham, and Rahul Chahar. Also other than this India made one more change in the bowling unit. India added Navdeep Saini to the squad in the final ODI encounter against Sri Lanka.
Notably, even after making 6 changes in the playing XI, one huge name was missing in the match. Fans on social media expressed the disappointment of missing players. The player is none other than exceptionally talented RCB batsman Devdutt Paddikal.