NEW DELHI: For Lalchand Rajput, the forthcoming tour of Pakistan as coach of the India under-19 squad is "challenging and exciting" for many reasons. Challenging because the team treads unfamiliar areas and exciting because he is convinced he has a "splendid" bunch to work with.

The players were put through a gruelling session on Thursday, the first day of the five-day conditioning camp, at the Ferozeshah Kotla by Rajput, one who understands the needs and limitations of his trainees very well.

"I want them to relax and concentrate on the job. There is no use putting them under pressure. We had a good tour of England (winning the Test and one-day series) essentially because it was a cohesive unit. Individual performances count but collective performance takes you to a higher grade. The boys understand this very well and that to me is the strength of this team," said Rajput.

Rajput has assigned each player a specific role. "They make my task easy because they know what they are supposed to do," he said.

"We lost the World Cup final to Pakistan (in Colombo) and the boys remember that defeat. They have worked very hard for this assignment and are keen to prove themselves. Fielding is a strong point of this team," added Rajput.

Watching skipper and promising leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, Rajput said, "He will make a big impact. As a senior, he can guide the boys and play a significant part. He can give the team the impetus it needs in crunch situations."

The Indian team comprises four spinners (Chawla, off-spinner Sunil Raju and left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Shahbaz Nadeem) and four medium-pacers. Ishant Sharma, Vijaykumar Yo Mahesh, Abu Nachim and Ishwar Choudhary are rated high by National junior selector Pravin Amre.

"Mahesh is quick, Nishant a fast learner, Ishwar consistent and Nachim the one to watch," gushed Amre. Nachim is also adept at using the old ball.

"The emphasis will be on pace because we anticipate seamer-friendly pitches in Pakistan," noted Rajput.

The current lot, observed Rajput, was "balanced and mature." "

The team, which plays two four-day matches and four one-day matches, leaves for Lahore on September 4.

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