Dravid's threesome worries keeps him from announcing team

Kolkata, Feb 7 (UNI) Even as Team India skipper Rahul Dravid wants to dominate the Sri Lankans, he is worried about the fitness of three of his key players -- Ajit Agarkar, Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan -- ahead of the series opener here tomorrow.

The trio's fitness problems led Dravid to refrain from announcing the first 12 of the side today.

''I will look into their state of fitness tomorrow and then decide on the playing 11. With them available, I would have announced the side today itself,'' he said.

Taking to reporters ahead of the fist of the four-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, the India skipper said, ''Ajit Agarkar is down with flu and it's a cause for worry. He is under medication and we are closely watching his recovery. I will be sure about him tomorrow.'' ''Irfan Pathan developed a sore shoulder while fielding and didn't bowl at the nets. We are awaiting his fitness report tomorrow. Yuvraj Singh also has a stiff back and did not bat at the nets. We have to wait tilll tomorrow before we announce the final 11,'' said Dravid.

However, the captain gave a rough picture of the side, when he said, ''Robin (Uthappa) will open with Sourav (Ganguly) tomorrow.

Sachin Tendulkar is also playing. We will utilise Sehwag down the order.'' Talkiing about a sort of homecoming for Ganguly, the classy right hand bat said, ''It always feels great to play on the home ground.

He must be feeling good too. He is playing well and is in great nick and we hope to see him firing tomorrow.'' About Munaf Patel's recovery and form, Dravid said, ''He is bowling well at the nets. He looks to have got into a nice rhythm.

But all of that has to be translated into the match condition. That is what matters.'' Dravid said the series was a good opportunity to fine tune the small worries in the side ahead of the World Cup.

''We are hoping for a good performance from the team. We would like to carry on the advantage we have had over them off late and go into the World Cup with that added bite of confidence.

''Sri Lankans are a very good side. Even without Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralidharan, Sri Lanka are a very competitive and tough opposition. They are ahead of us in the ICC rankings.

''We need to play some good and positive cricket to get the better of them. We need to maintain the same standard of cricket as we did against the West Indies. Hopefully we will be able to put up the runs on the board tomorrow and play the best 11,'' Dravid added.

When asked about the resting of top players, Dravid said, ''Many of the teams are resting some of their key players so that all are fit and charged up. Besides, all the 15 has to be ready. Sri Lanka have done this and so have we. The idea is to have the entire squad match fit.'' Asked about the toss, he said, ''The wicket looks firm and the regular Eden pitch. It's a very good wicket. But I can't control the toss and the weather." UNI