The likes of Mithali Raj — who retired recently — and Jhulan Goswami are not part of the squad but India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on Saturday said the upcoming limited overs tour to Sri Lanka is a great opportunity to “build a team”.

“We are working hard on our team, we have great combinations. And for us, it is a good tour to start, because first-time we are going to play without our seniors and an ideal platform for all of us to build a team,” Harmanpreet said at the pre-departure press conference.

“For me, it is a great opportunity where you can build a good team because Sri Lanka, I don’t think it is going to be an easy tour for us.”

Mithali has retired from all forms of the game, while experienced pacer Jhulan is also not part of the squad. Harmanpreet has been appointed as the ODI skipper, besides his role as T20I captain.

She stressed on giving opportunities to young players. “In the fielding department also, we will give opportunities to young players who can bowl 10 overs and look for breakthroughs. We are trying to do little-little things… we (have) worked on this at the (NCA) camp and we are having a vision, so we will look for that (in terms of implementation),” she said.

“If we talk about our bowling unit, this is the time they are getting responsibility and this tour will be an ideal platform for them to perform where they can take charge and bowl full quota.

“For us it is important whatever we are planning, we should go and deliver, that

is what as a unit we are looking forward (to),” Harmanpreet added.

India will be playing three ODIs and as many T20Is during their tour to the island nation, beginning on June 23.

The women’s captain said Mithali will be missed because of her contribution to Indian cricket.

“Well, as we all know, she (Mithali) has done great things for women’s cricket and I don’t think anyone can fill this place.

“If you talk about Mithali di, I don’t think there is anyone who can take her place and we will always miss her in our dressing rooms and the things she has done so far,” said Harmanpreet.

Does Harmanpreet want the team to play any specific brand of cricket in ODIs? “I think we did set some during the World Cup, where we were looking for 300 runs, but were able to score 280, 270. But this time, we will look to score more than 300 runs.”