It’s really nice to be able to give game time for as many players you can: Rahul Dravid

The second T20I between Sri Lanka and India, which was set to be played on Tuesday, was postponed to a day later as all-rounder Krunal Pandya tested positive for COVID-19. That was not all. As many as eight Indian players were in close contact with him, and all of them were subjected to mandatory isolation, ruling them out of the remaining matches. This left the ongoing T20I series uncertain. Whether or not it will continue was the big question.

Speaking at the Sony Sports Network’s pre-match show Extra Innings, India head coach for the tour, Rahul Dravid addressed the situation, and explained how they are looking at it on the healthier side.

"After we wrapped up the ODI series, we tried to give a few people a chance. Obviously, circumstances here have forced us to do it here even before we managed to win the series. But I truly believe that if you're selected to play for India – whether it's 15 players or 20 players – you're good enough to play in the XI. I don't really think that the selectors select you in the 15 just to warm the bench or for a holiday," Rahul Dravid was quoted as saying during the Extra Innings.

"Certainly, that's not the message I have been given. I look at the squad, the 20 guys who are here, each of them has got here through sheer weight of performances. It's not easy in India. People earn the right to come here. It's not every time that we're going to give everyone a chance here but it’s really nice to be able to give as many as you can," he said.

Dravid believes that if a player is a part of the 20- member squad, then that player has every right to be in the playing eleven at any time.

"They are earning their India caps. I don't get that argument. Like I said, if you're selected in a team of 15 – with Covid now it's become 20, you are selected keeping in mind that you may need to play in the 11 at any given point of time. You have certainly earned the right to get that cap. It’s up to you to take that opportunity and perform. I truly believe everyone who’s here has earned it," he added.

Every situation has a silver lining, and this one may have the same hopes as the former India and RCB captain.

“To be very honest, I don't think there's any need to be sorry for us. The squad's great, like I said everyone deserves to be in the XI. Our balance might be a bit compromised this game, but it's a Twenty20 game and I truly believe we have the quality to really put up a good show,” Dravid concluded.