India will have tough series in Bangladesh: Shastri

Kolkata, May 6 (UNI) Team India will undoubtedly face a stiff challenge in both versions of the game in Bangladesh and the team's newly appointed manager Ravi Shastri was candid enough to admit, ''Our players accept it.'' At the end of the five-day preparatory camp that began on May 2 at the Eden Gardens, Shastri told a press conference here today that the camp was positive and the players have fully enjoyed.

''The five-day camp was positive and the players enjoyed it,'' he said.

The camp was marred by injuries to Sachin Tendulkar on the first day and nose bleeding to Rahul Dravid on the fourth day amidst heat wave condition and absence of VVS Laxman and Dinesh Karthik.

The 15-man Indian squad leaves for Bangladesh tomorrow with fresh memory of the shocking loss against the Tigers in the qualifying round of the Caribbean World Cup that ultimately resulted in their first round exit from the mega event.

Dravid's men will play three ODIs in Bangladesh beginning on May 10 in Mirpur, which would be followed by two Tests in the latter half of the series.

''We have forgotten the past what we did in the World Cup and earlier and are now looking forward for the coming series in Bangladesh,'' Shastri said.

Dinesh Karthik, who missed the starting four days of the camp due to his marriage, reported today and had good time practicing with Sachin and Sourav in the morning. However, VVS Laxman, now bed-ridden with gastroenteritis will join the team in Bangladesh directly.

Replying to some queries regarding injuries, particularly to batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Rahul Dravid, Shastri said they were here to play cricket and not ''marbles''. Injuries were part of the game, he added.

Dravid suffered an injury yesterday when his nose was hit by a raising delivery from R P Singh.

Asked about the chances of the skipper's appearance in the first ODI on Thursday, Shastri said, ''Dravid is a tough guy and injuries have been monitored constantly.'' Commenting on Sachin's out-of-form run in the World Cup, the makeshift team manager said, ''Sachin is hungry for runs and he knows what he has to do in Bangladesh.'' Regarding resting Sachin and Sourav from the ODI and dropping Sehwag from the test squad of the forthcoming Bangaldesh tour, Shastri was non-committal and said that he was prepared to give his best with what he had in his hand.

He said he was confident about the contributions of Sachin, Saurav and Shewag as he knew them for the past 10-15 years.

''The three were not finished yet. We have a good team in both versions of cricket. India will play lots of cricket in the next 16 months.'' he said.

The former India all-rounder also said that fitness and fielding are the two most important aspects of the game and all the players have enjoyed the training under fielding coach Robin Singh.

He said the players know their tasks in Bangladesh and he hoped all will perform their best in the 23-day trip beginning.

Regarding the absence of a vice-captain in the squad, Shastri said he knows what he has to do in case of any eventuality.

While the one-day team will leave for Bangldesh tomorrow, the remaining members of the test squad will fly later on.

UNI