India's cricketers begin a four-day preparatory camp at the NCA in Bangalore from Thursday.
The Australians have been relegated to No.4 in the Test rankings and with South Africa at the top and India and Sri Lanka neck-and-neck at No.2, this is an exciting time for cricket. India will become the No.1 team if MS Dhoni’s side can beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in the home Test series in October.
India vice-captain Yuvraj Singh said that where India stands in the cricketing world is always on his mind. “It’s nice to be ranked No.2. The rankings are on my mind. What’s most important is winning. My goal will be to take the team to the No.1 spot,” Yuvraj said at a promotional event.
After the one-day series in the West Indies that ended in early July, the Indian team has had a considerable break. However, the preparatory camp that begins at the National Cricket Academy on Thursday marks the beginning of a hectic period during which the players will be involved in the Corporate Trophy, the tri-series in Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy to begin with.
India coach Gary Kirsten will monitor the four-day camp. Ramji Srinivasan, appointed the team trainer for the Sri Lankan series, will also be at the NCA. Among those in Bangalore on Wednesday were Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina. The preparatory camp for the squad will begin with a fitness assessment on Thursday at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
“We have a big season ahead and we are looking forward to the Corporate Trophy, the triangular series, Champions Trophy and Australia’s tour of India,” Yuvraj added.
“The boys are fit and have been in good shape. I am looking forward to meeting all the boys before we kick-start the season,” Yuvraj added.
Meanwhile, the one-team domination in Test cricket has ended with Australia’s decline, said Rahul Dravid, who foresees the No.1 spot changing hands every few months between India, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
“I don’t think you’ll see one team dominating like Australia did, at least not in the immediate future,” Dravid said.
“There are three or four teams that are evenly matched and you could see the No.1 spot change hands a few times in the next couple of years,” the 36-year-old, who makes a comeback to the Indian One-day side after two years, told The Guardian.
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