POSITIVE APPROACH: Ravi Shastri hopes the Indians, after a dismal World Cup, will fire in the forthcoming series against Bangladesh. The administrative manager of the team, Surendra Bhave, is also seen. — Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

KOLKATA: As the five-day conditioning camp came to an end at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday, the India cricket team manager, Ravi Shastri, promised to see India returning to winning ways beginning with the series against Bangladesh. India will play three ODIs and two Tests during the 23-day tour.

Shastri, who took charge of the Indian team only for the ensuing series, said the tour would be a challenge. "It will be a challenging tour especially after the World Cup debacle. We will put out our best foot forward,'' he told newsmen before the camp wound up on Sunday morning.

"We have a good team for both forms of the game,'' Shastri said and pointed out that it was not the time to live in the past. "Forget the past and focus on the present,'' he said.

Disappointed

Taking a leaf out of the early exit from the World Cup in the West Indies, the former India captain said, "the players are disappointed; more disappointed than anybody else.''

He said he endeavoured to make the players realise the need to play together for bringing good results. "It is important to play as a unit. It is also important to enjoy playing and the result will follow,'' he added.

Referring to the past performance, Shastri said, "what I did not like in the last six months was that the cricketers were going through the motions like they were doing a sort of a 9 to 5 job. If you don't enjoy playing, then forget about winning,'' he said.

Shastri asked his compatriots to be patient and wait for the team to produce results. He especially expected the seniors to fire and fire well in the upcoming series. "Sachin (Tendulkar) is hungry. Just be patient with Sachin and (Virender) Sehwag. They will show you what they are capable of." Batting strongly for the embattled seniors, he said, "show respect for what they have done. They have played international cricket for 15 years. Be patient, give them some time and you will see what they are capable of,'' Shastri said.

About Sourav Ganguly, he said, "I have known him from a young age and we played a lot of cricket together. I know what kind of a cricketer he is and what he is capable of. Please respect these guys for what they have done. They are not finished yet,'' he added.

On the injuries during the camp, Shastri said, "injuries can happen in a cricket field and you must know that we are not playing marbles. We are playing cricket.''

Doing well

On Rahul Dravid, he said that India captain was doing well and everyone knew that he was a tough player.

"He is fine. He is under observation. His improvement is being monitored.'' Shastri said there was no place for if and buts when asked who would lead the side in case Dravid failed to get fit before the first ODI.

"Dravid will captain the side. There is no question about that. We know who will lead in case of any eventuality,'' he informed.

Shastri was very happy with the available talent. "We have a pool of 27-28 very talented players. It creates a very healthy competition. All of them showed a lot of enthusiasm during the camp.

"With the amount of cricket India is going to play in the next 15 months or so, there will be a lot of competition to get into the side,'' he said.

Very happy

The cricket manager was also extremely happy to see some of the young fast bowlers do well during the camp.

He also praised the camaraderie that prevailed in the five-day camp and termed the players as "a brilliant bunch.''

The fielding coach, Robin Singh, also drew praise from Shastri. "Robin is tough task master. He will make you put in the best,'' he said.

Shastri said yoga was introduced to help the boys unwind and loosen up "because in these conditions the players need to know how to relax.''

Shastri said the training imparted at the camp was cricket specific and to shape up the boys for the newer challenges ahead.

When questioned on the raging contract row, the administrative manager of the team, Surendra Bhave, said, "the players are very keen to get the issue resolved very soon. One thing I can tell you that once they go to Bangladesh, cricket will be on top of the agenda and nothing else."

Dinesh Karthik, who missed out a major part of the camp because of his marriage, joined the camp on Sunday and practised in the nets.

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