Raina: We're not the A-Team, and aim to win

Cricket365
July 27, 2014

India captain for the ODI series in Bangladesh, Suresh Raina, has defended the squad selected for the trip, saying it was not done to insult the Tigers, but rather to give senior players a rest ahead of a busy schedule.

The hosts were insulted when the second-string India side, without seven top names, was announced, with Mushfiqur Rahim accusing the BCCI of taking the series 'lightly'. But Raina said they had to consider the build-up to the World Cup.

Raina said: "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.

"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.

"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.

"Some players are coming back to the Indian team, some are getting their chance to play. It's important to stick to together.

"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."