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Sourav finds the Test significant

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November 8, 2000 

Dhaka (UNB) - Sourav Ganguly thinks it particularly significant for him to make his debut as test captain against debutante test playing nation Bangladesh.

This will happen first time in test cricket that two Bengali-speaking cricket captain will come out on to the field on Nov. 10 in the maiden test match between India and Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

"It is a coincident that I will be leading India for the first time in test cricket against Bangladesh… it's a great honour for me," the Indian captain told newsmen at a briefing at the Sheraton Hotel this (Tuesday) evening.

Sourav, who passed more than six months as Indian skipper, is confident about his youthful team. "We're a very good side, but need couple of months to establish (ourselves) as a strong side," he said.

The southpaw batsman, popularly known as Prince of Calcutta, said they would take the one-off test match against Bangladesh like any other match with more experienced sides.

Replying to a question, he said: "We've experience of one-day cricket with Bangladesh, but test match is a different ball game. Actually, test is real cricket."

This is the first time an Indian captain hinted that besides their batting strength, pace attack is another strong department of the squad.

"We've four good quick bowlers in the squad to strengthen the attack," said Sourav adding that there is no doubt India has a very good batting side, specially in test cricket, having four batsmen who averaged 50 runs.

Replying to a query about the recently concluded Sharjah Cup final, where India was bowled out for 54 runs - the lowest at the desert venue, he said: "Such a thing has not happened for the first time… that was our bad day. But we were really disappointed in Kenya (in the ICC knockout tournament), where we lost the final."

The Indian skipper told a questioner they were looking for a really good test wicket keeper. "I think Saba Karim has the ability to show his best," he said.

Pressed by newsmen, Sourav declined to say anything about the match-fixing scandal and the recently published report of the Indian CBI.

Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad, who was present at the briefing, said newborn test-nation Bangladesh need more exposure. Above all, they need time to make progress in test cricket.

"Sri Lanka was struggling in their early stages, but they are now a very strong side in test cricket," explained Gaekwad who will finish his short second term as coach after the maiden test match.

Earlier, a 13-member Indian cricket team arrived in the city at 2:05 pm today to play the one-off Dutch-Bangla inaugural test match against debutante Bangladesh on Nov. 10-14 at the Bangabandu National Stadium.

Yuvraj Singh, the new sensation of Indian cricket, missed the flight over a problem with his passport, but the Indian captain said he would join the team tomorrow (Wednesday).

Sourav informed newsmen that their dependable batsman Rahul Dravid has fully recovered from injury.