India will beat Sri Lanka even if they send their C team, believes Kamran Akmal

It was not too long ago that Sri Lanka were a menacing force in international cricket, but things have changed now. The retirements of behemoths such as Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Dilshan, half a decade ago, dissolved the core of the side but such has been the impact of the same that six years on, the team is still struggling to come to terms with the same, thanks to the transition being unsuccessful. The Lankans did not make it out of the group stages in the 2019 World Cup and are currently the bottom-placed side in the ODI Super League, below all of Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan, with just 8 points to their name.

India are expected to tour Sri Lanka in July for a white-ball series with their ‘B’ side, but Akmal believes that the ludicrous depth in Indian cricket could enable the Men in Blue to field up to three international teams, simultaneously. Akmal praised the investment the BCCI have made at the grass-root level, and believes that Rahul Dravid, through his mentorship of youngsters, has taken Indian cricket to a whole new level.

"Rahul Dravid has been working with the BCCI for seven-eight years I think, and look where he has taken Indian cricket. Dravid has readied players for international cricket at the grassroot level. Then, in the Indian team, Ravi Shastri has guided them really well as head coach," he added,” Akmal said.