"It's a good opportunity for youngsters to prove themselves. If they do, it would be good for themselves as well as the team," said Patel ahead of the second ODI here on Tuesday.

Sachin Tendulkar joined the list of injured Indian cricketers going home on Monday when it was found that his toe injury would take at least four weeks to recover.

The late realization that Tendulkar is missing would leave the visitors a batsman short as Manoj Tiwary and Ravindra Jadeja are unlikely to join the squad before September 7.