'2nd ODI important for Team India': Shah

Rajkot, Feb 9 (UNI) The second One-Day International against Sri Lanka would be a crucial test of Virender Sehwag, feels BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah.

Mr Shah, while talking to reporters here today, said the match is very important for India and would be a litmus test for out-of-form players like Virendra Sehwag, Munaf Patel and others.

Asked about the fitness of the players, Mr Shah said, ''All players are fine and are arriving here tonight to play the second ODI.'' To a query on allegations against West Indies player Marlon Samuels, Mr Shah remarked the matter has been referred to the ICC.

As regards the India-Sri Lanka match at Rajkot, the vigilance officer, Niranan Vikra, is arriving here tomorrow and would maintain a surveillance over the players with the help of the local police, Mr Shah said. The activities of the players in the dressing room will be watched and they would be discouraged from using mobile phones, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Shah said 70 per cent of the tickets for the India-Sri Lanka ODI had already been sold out. The stadium has a capacity of 18,000 spectators.

UNI