From rxpgnews.com
Indian cricketers shift focus to Test matches
By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, IANS,
May 15, 2007 - 6:21:56 PM
Chittagong, May 15 - The seven Indian cricketers who have joined the team for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh had their first indoor practice session here Tuesday as the field pitches were soggy due to incessant rains.
Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Jaffer, V.V.S. Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Vikram Raj Vir Singh, Anil Kumble and Rajesh Pawar, along with the three coaches, had the first taste of the indoor facility that has been used frequently over the last couple of days, thanks to rains.
The first Test starts here Friday.
It is the first time in Tendulkar's illustrious international career when he was not picked for an ODI series even though he was fit and available. He is the world's most successful ODI player with 14,847 runs in 384 matches, coupled with 41 centuries and 77 half-centuries.
The seven players will replace Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Virender Sehwag, Rudra Pratap Singh, Piyush Chawla and Dinesh Mongia, who return home after India's 2-0 ODI series win.
The third ODI was abandoned Tuesday due to unplayable ground conditions at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Ruhul Amin Stadium.
Cricket manager Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh conducted the practice session.
The indoor practice 'shed' at the stadium has three artificial pitches.
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