India to experiment with batting

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India to experiment with batting


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September 09, 2006 20:36 IST

India will utilise next week's tri-series in Kuala Lumpur to work out various batting combinations depending on the wickets and conditions available for the matches, captain Rahul Dravid [Images] said in Chennai on Saturday.

"The idea is to work on our strategies and maximise the 50 overs," Dravid said prior to the team's departure for the Malaysian capital.

"It all depends on the conditions and situation. If the need arises, we will consider all options available to us. The important aspect is that we play well and are focussed on achieving it and then the results will take care of other things," he said.

Dravid also said that conditions on the match day would determine the opening combination for the tri-series, which also features world champions Australia and Champions Trophy winners West Indies [Images].

Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar [Images] had opened during the washed out tri-series in Sri Lanka [Images] last month and the skipper said the pairing could continue in Malaysia.

"I and Sachin have spent lot of time at the crease. It is no different as we know each other's game well enough."

On the team selected for the tournament and next month's Champions Trophy, he said the side was not missing a specialist left-arm spinner.

"I always believe that the best available spinners must play. Left-arm spinner Murali Karthik is injured. I am happy with Harbhajan's performance in the last season and Ramesh Powar [Images] has been good and bowling well. I do not see any problem in lack of left-arm spinners. We also have Yuvraj Singh [Images] and Dinesh Mongia to chip in."

Asked whether Tendulkar would also be used as a bowler, Dravid said "he (Tendulkar) has bowled pretty well at the nets in Bangalore. We definitely want him to bowl in the near future. We will take step by step and keep assessing them. We do not want to rush, if he is not comfortable," Dravid said.

However, coach Greg Chappell [Images] said he had no concerns about the master batsman's fitness.

"He is fully fit and in good spirits. Even more important is obviously the time he spent at the middle today which was excellent. He is looking forward to such things in early part of the season. He is also happy to get to play the ball on the middle of his bat most often. We have no concern about his fitness," the Australian said.

Dravid said the Malaysian tri-series, starting on September 12, would give his side an opportunity to settle scores with both the rival teams.

"The Australians are the world champions and have a good team ranking and results and the West Indians have beaten us recently. We are determined to change that situation and settle scores with them. My boys are excited about the opportunity to take the challenge and beat them," Dravid said at the end of two practice matches to prepare the team for the tournament.

He said valuable lessons were learnt in the Bangalore camp and the two matches that were played in Chennai.

"The bowlers cannot be blamed since the wickets were truly flat. It is not easy to judge performances. I am happy that there was intensity and enthusiasm."

Dravid said he set personal goals as a player, but was more concerned about the team cause.

"At this stage, the goal is to do well against the two teams that we take on in Malaysia," he added.

On his impressions about the performance of fringe players on view during the two practice matches, Chappell expressed happiness and said "they will play an important part in the future of Indian cricket.

"I do not want to single out any... all the young players did well. It is a good thing that they played alongside stars like Dravid, Tendulkar, Sehwag and Harbhajan to name a few. It is good for the development. Most important thing is that they will play an important role in Indian cricket's future.I am sure they will improve upon their talent in the next 24 months. They have the potential to go to the next level.".

On the performance of V R V Singh, who was amongst the wickets in the two matches, Chappell said "he is coming back after a month or two. He bowled well on both days. R P Singh also bowled extremely well. It is very easy to be critical of the bowlers. But considering the condition of the wickets here, they have not done a bad job. I would also say that the selectors have done a good job."

Suresh Raina, who batted and fielded well despite injury, received accolades from the coach. "It speaks about his character. He is a challenging cricketer, as he was back on the field today despite getting injured yesterday. When you play at this level, one is bound to have blows. He is going to be a very valuable cricketer."

Chappell also said he would prefer to concentrate on India's performance in the cricket tri-series in Malaysia than getting concerned about his own country Australia's showing in the tournament.

"I am more concerned about how we (India) play. Obviously we have got to be focussed on what we need to do to play well against the West Indies too," he said.

"Other than that, the opposition teams are very good and we need to play accordingly with a goal to win against them," the coach added.

Chappell said his name being shortlisted for the coach's job of Australian cricket team was only a speculation.

"I am not interested in answering that...coaches of most of the countries will be finishing their contract after the 2007 World Cup. It is purely and merely a speculation. Nothing, obviously, to talk about it now."


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