The Hindu : Sport : Dravid stresses on team spirit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 11, 2006

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Sport

Dravid stresses on team spirit

S. Dinakar

India's game-plan to remain the same as in the last tour to Pakistan

EXUDING CONFIDENCE: Led by coach Greg Chappell, players Irfan Pathan, Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and V.V.S. Laxman make their way to a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday. Their mood appeared upbeat as the first Test against Pakistan begins on Friday. — Photo: S. Subramanium

Lahore: Confidence was not in short supply when Team India met the media here on Tuesday. On a campaign that should make severe demands of ability and temperament, captain Rahul Dravid stressed on the importance of team spirit and togetherness.

Turning his attention to the Pakistan side, he said: "It's almost the same team that we played in 2004. Some of the Pakistani cricketers have more experience now. And some of them are in good touch. They are a tough side to beat at home. But we have been playing good cricket too. It should be a tough series. We are united as a team."

Dravid said the Indian game-plan, in essence, would remain the same as on the last occasion when India registered a historic 2-1 Test series triumph: "We put up huge scores on the board. We could then exert pressure on the Pakistani batsmen. The bowlers had the runs behind them. They have a good attack but we will be seeking to bat big again."

— Photo: S. Subramanium

ENGROSSED: Anil Kumble and V.V.S. Laxman seem to find the images in the camera more interesting during a media interaction in Lahore.

Talking about the cricket between the two countries bringing the people closer, he said, "As cricketers, the best way we can make a difference is by playing good, hard, competitive, attractive but fair cricket."

Non-committal

The Indian captain remained non-committal on the question of Sourav Ganguly's inclusion in the eleven for the first Test. "All the players are fit and available for selection."

Asked about the prospect of a former captain sitting on the bench, coach Greg Chappell said, `emotions will not play a part in the selection of the team. Ganguly is a good player, has been a good captain. We will pick the best eleven." Chappell "rated high" his Pakistani counterpart Bob Woolmer: "Ultimately the series will be won and lost by the players, they are the ones on the field."

Underplaying

Underplaying the hype that often accompanies an India-Pakistan series, master batsman Sachin Tendulkar said, "It is a special feeling to play for the country, be it any opposition."

It was in Pakistan, 1989, that Tendulkar made his Test debut in Karachi as a 16-year-old. "I feel the same now as in 2004, when I came here after 15 years."

He called Shoiab Akhtar "a good fast bowler," but quickly added, "we will be focussing on what we can do rather than worry about individuals from the other side."

"Previously, you said were playing too little. Now you are saying too much. We will have to find the right balance," he replied when asked whether there had been an overkill of India-Pakistan cricket in recent times.

Tendulkar denied setting targets for himself. "When I started playing, I certainly did not think that I would go past 34 Test hundreds. But I always aim to play positive and tough cricket."

Ganguly, who led India to victories in the Test and the ODI series in 2004, did not feel his role this time was different.

"The last time too I came here very much as a player first. And you are successful as a captain only when every member of the side does well. Whether you are a captain or not, it is a great feeling playing for the country."

Bugbear

Anil Kumble, Pakistan's bugbear in the past, said, "We won the series last time and I had a good tour. I am bowling to a good rhythm."

The champion leg-spinner had words of praise for Pakistan leggie Danish Kaneria. "He is an attacking bowler. I saw him bowl against England and he has come on a lot. Spinners have a very important role to play in Test cricket."

Queried whether he might have difficultly gripping the ball in the cold weather conditions here, he said, "I have been playing international cricket for 15 years. You learn to cope with everything."

Virender Sehwag, India's Multan hero of 2004, conceded that he had not been able to build on starts lately. "I have been getting out in the 30s and the 40s. I hope to improve on that."

V.V.S. Laxman stressed on the value of consistency. Irfan Pathan felt the pitch for the tour game at the Bagh-e-Jinnah ground was placid but was excited at the prospect of a competitive series.

Ajit Agarkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Wasim Jaffer, Rudra Pratap Singh and Parthiv Patel, all expressed a willingness to perform on what should be a gruelling campaign.

Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir, who were on a visit to the famous Nankana Sahib Gurudwra, were not present on the occasion.

In the afternoon, the Indians had a strenuous net session at the Pakistan Cricket Academy ground, close to the Gadaffi Stadium, under the watchful eyes of Chappell. The emphasis was very much on facing fast bowling as the batsmen first practised against a specially made synthetic ball on a concrete pitch, then had routine nets, before coping with a bowling machine hurling the sphere at varied speeds.

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