Indian team determined to set record aright

Partab Ramchand

November 23, 1999

The Indian team left for Australia from Mumbai on Monday night determined to set right the woeful record of previous Indian teams `Down Under'. In six tours in 52 years, the Indians have played 25 Tests in Australia and won only three while losing 16.

Every team captain and coach exudes confidence on the eve of their departure and Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev were no exception. The captain said the team was a blend of youth and experience and as such he was confident of getting good results. He was also happy with the schedule for there are two four day matches and a one day game before the first Test. He reckoned that it would suffice to get used to the bouncy Australian pitches.

Then came the all important question but Tendulkar answered it deftly. Asked about India's poor record on previous tours, Tendulkar said ``we have to start winning somewhere and this could be the right tour to start our winning streak. I know it will be a tough tour but at the same time I am confident of the team doing well in Australia.''

Tendulkar received the full backing of Kapil Dev. The coach said that the team was a very well balanced one and he expressed confidence that the boys would do well in Australia. ``We have a good pace attack and a couple of good spinners and I think we have enough ammunition to take on any team on any pitch.'' Exuding confidence that the pace bowlers would be very effective on the fast and bouncy Australian tracks, Kapil Dev also agreed with Tendulkar that the schedule chalked out was a good one as it gave the visiting team a week before they played their opening game of the tour. India last toured Australia eight years ago. They lost the five match Test series 4-0.

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