Dravid is a tough cookie: Shastri

Kolkata, May 6 (UNI) Team India captain Rahul Dravid, who suffered a nose injury during a practice session here, was recouping and is leaving for Bangladesh tour tomorrow, Team Manager Ravi Shastri said today.

''Rahul is doing good and his injury is being monitored. He has been advised rest by the doctors for today,'' Shastri told reporters here.

A bouncer from medium pacer R P Singh hit Dravid on the nose, leaving him bleeding profusely during the practice session at Eden Gardens yesterday.

Dravid was given sedatives and sent to hotel room for rest. The team's administrative manager Surendra Bhave described the wound as a 'nose trauma'.

'' He will brush off that injury. He is a tough cookie,'' Shastri said.

The 'Men in Blue' will play three limited-overs internationals, followed by two tests in Bangladesh. The ODIs would be played on May 10, 12 and 15, while the Tests will be held from May 18 and 25.

A few days ago Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar had injured his right ankle.

However, Tendulkar, scheduled only to play in the test series, was yet to recover fully but has since taken part in some batting practice.

Shastri has described the current Indian team a ''brilliant bunch'' and said it will prove its worth during the tour.

India last toured Bangladesh in December 2004, when the hosts registered their first ever limited-overs international win on home ground, beating the more fancied Indians by 15 runs in one of the matches.

UNI