Ahead of India's first assignment this year, vice-captain Virender Sehwag soon after his arrival here told his team mates to maintain the kind of consistency that has made them the No. 1 Test team in the world.
Sehwag, who arrived here on Saturday along with the other team members for an ODI tri-series to be followed by a two-match Test series against hosts Bangladesh, said the team would try its best to maintain the high standard that has become the hallmark of the side.
“Our target is to play good cricket. Last two years, we have played very tough and good cricket and hopefully we will do it in 2010 also,” Sehwag said. “It's important for the team to play well consistently. If you do that you will stay there in number one or number two positions,” he said.
Even though India comprehensibly beat Sri Lanka at home and the islanders would be without key players Sehwag refused to underestimate them.
“When new players break into the side, nobody really knows what he will do or what his strength is. It's difficult for the teams to bowl or bat against them. I think Sri Lanka still are a good side. It will be a tough task for us,” a cautious Sehwag said.
The opener sounded worried about the dew factor. “I think whenever you play in the sub-continent you get more or less the same kind of wicket. It's generally a good track to bat on and the wicket subsequently gets slower and slower. Dew can also be a big factor,” Sehwag said.
Sri Lanka, who arrive later in the day, will meet the hosts in the tournament opener on Monday while India begin their campaign with a game against Sri Lanka on Tuesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The final of the tri-series is scheduled on January 13.
Bangladesh suffered a blow even before the start when fast bowler Nazmul Hossain was ruled out of the tournament starting on Monday after he suffered an injury during practice. He will be replaced by Shahadat Hossain.
Despite the ICC being upbeat about the effectiveness of the Decision Referral System, the Indian skipper was unsure whether the DRS system would be in place during the two-Test series against Bangladesh later this month.
Dhoni said: “I'm not sure” and BCCI's corporate relations manager Devendra Prabhudesai indicated it would not be in use. The DRS was not in use during the India-Sri Lanka Test series. PTI
