ODI defeat a setback: Dravid

PORT-OF-SPAIN: India captain Rahul Dravid and coach Greg Chappell say the team’s 4-1 one day series defeat to the West Indies could impact on the four-Test series starting Friday. “We’ve got a little bit of work to do mentally, to regroup and get ourselves prepared for the Test series,” Chappell said after India’s fourth straight loss on Sunday. Dravid concurred, but was confident in his team’s ability to rebound.

“We’ll just have to regroup and we’ll have to fight back,” Dravid said. “A lot of times it has been the one day team that has bounced back from test defeats, like in Pakistan.” In January and February, India lost the Test series 1-0 to Pakistan, but won the one dayers 4-1. Chappell said that the 35-year-old Kumble, India’s leading wicket taker with 510 in 106 Tests, could be a handful if the pitches are similar to those used in the one day series.

“He’s a fine bowler, one of the best going around, very experienced and one of the great competitors,” Chappell said. “I think he’ll enjoy the conditions here, but obviously he has to bowl well and has to be supported by bowling at the other end.” The first Test begins in Antigua on Friday.