The Board of control for Cricket in India is not averse to having two different Indian national teams competing in two different series at different locations at the same time. BCCI Treasurer Arun Kumar Dhumal stressed upon this point saying, "It is a definite possibility that India could play another limited-overs tour with a younger squad while the main team players are playing elsewhere or need a break. The COVID-19 related restrictions also need to be factored in.”
Further, the veteran administrator feels that with such a policy the strong Indian bench strength would also get the key exposure instead of warming the bench. Along with that, this move would also help those boards which are facing financial problems due to Covid. "It (two India squads) also shows the solid bench strength of the Indian team and gives us an opportunity to organise more bilateral cricket and help other boards which are facing financial challenges amid the pandemic," Dhumal was quoted as saying to PTI.
"It is imperative to come up with new ideas to deal with the loss of bilateral cricket that has happened over the last 18 months," he added.
The Indian board will be sending a side led by Shikhar Dhawan to play Sri Lanka in a three-match each ODI and T20I series starting July 13. All the matches would be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
While the second-string Indian side would be in Sri Lanka the main team is already in England and would be playing the World Test Championship Final against New Zealand starting June 18. The Virat Kohli led side would then play a five-match Test series against hosts England as well.