Indians gearing up for one-dayers

All Indian cricketers, including those returning after an injury lay-off, are '100 per cent fit' and shaping up well ahead of the triangular one-day series next month.

"We have already held four training sessions since our arrival on Monday and we will continue with our programme so that all the players feel comfortable with the local conditions," team manager M K Bhargava said in Johannesburg on Thursday.

"Our coach John Wright is putting the players through their paces," he said.

Bhargava said players like Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, who have been out of the game for some time, are also getting into the groove quickly.

"There's a new mood in the team. They want to perform at their best and I'm confident that they will... against South Africa and Kenya in the one-day series and against South Africa in the three Test matches," he said.

Wright agreed with the manager. "They are shaping up very well and are fully fit. Anil has been out of the game for quite some time now but he is a thorough professional and I am sure he will come good," he said.

Speedster Javagal Srinath did not participate in the practice session but Wright said he just had a bit of cold and was fully fit otherwise.

Meanwhile, seamer Ajit Agarkar, a late replacement for injured Ashish Nehra, joined the team on Wednesday.

Wright said the Indian team is fully capable of playing on the fast and bouncy tracks and there should be no doubts over the issue.

"I think too much is being made out about the tracks here. We cannot expect the pitches in foreign countries to be similar to the ones in India. We have to avoid playing under a certain mindset. Everyone has to learn to adjust to the conditions.

"We will play entertaining cricket. Its never dull when we are around," he said.

India play their first match, a warm-up game against Nicky Oppenheimer X1, on October 1 and take on South Africa 'A' on October 3 before clashing with the hosts in the first one-day international in a day-night game at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on October 5.

Mail Cricket Editor