India’s newly-appointed vice-captain for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has stated that the team is looking forward to working with Rahul Dravid.
Some of India’s regular team members including the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are currently in the UK ahead of the five-match Test series against England. As a result, opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan was announced as the skipper for the Sri Lanka tour while Dravid was appointed as the coach.
During a recent interaction with Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected, Kumar recalled the IPL season when he played against Dravid. However, he mentioned that they haven’t ever shared the same dressing room.
“I have played against him (Rahul Dravid) and he was a part of the RCB team just when I got inducted into the team. So I don’t have any such memories with him, but when I got to the NCA, we did had some chats. I wanted to work with him and I am lucky that he is the coach.
“The young players have played under him for India A. So we want to work under him and pick his brain and want to understand how he manages things at that level for such a long time,” Bhuvi said.
‘Being vice-captain doesn’t change things’
The 31-year-old reckoned that his role as a vice-captain won’t change things. However, Kumar further acknowledged that he’s honoured to be given the responsibility of being the deputy of Shikhar Dhawan in this series.
“Yes, on paper, it is my role (vice-captain), but I don’t think things will change. I think being a senior player my role is to do things that help other players in improving their skills and mental health.
“Being the vice-captain of Team India is an honour and a responsibility. So, I will try to continue doing the things that I have been doing and hope our team does well on this tour,” the 31-year-old further added.
The India vs Sri Lanka 2021 series is set to begin from July 13 with the maiden ODI game at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Also Read | IND vs SL: “I will want Prithvi Shaw to play all the six matches,” says VVS Laxman
