January 6, 2006	Friday	Zilhaj 5, 1426

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NEW DELHI, Jan 5: Indian will not target one or two Pakistan players as “it would be a big mistake,” said skipper Rahul Dravid. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday before the team departed for Lahore, Dravid emphasised that India will target whole of Pakistan team and will have to play as a unit to succeed.

Banking his hopes on Harbhajan and Kumble, Dravid said two Spinners were important cog in Indian wheel and it was “exciting to see them bowling well at same time. It is an important thing for our scheme of things.”

He felt first day at Test in Lahore will be critical to the eventual outcome.

India Coach Greg Chappell said the series was great honour, experience and challenge. “It will be a very exciting series as Pakistan team was on a high but it was a challenge we were looking forward to and challenge that we welcome.”

Chappell said both teams had bowlers in top form but they were all different type of bowler and “whoever adopted better will win the series.”

He said recent experiments had given India different options for different conditions but nothing specific had been decided for Pakistan series. “It will depend on situations on different days.”

Chappell said it was imperative for top order to succeed for India to win in Pakistan. He was confident that openers, whoever is chosen, will deliver.

Dravid said he was looking forward to the tour of Pakistan as for a cricketer it was a special occasion and “boys were keen. The teams were evenly balanced unlike last time when people said Pakistan were favourites.”

BCCI President Sharad Pawar said experience of last tour was good. “Each player is going as goodwill ambassador and will create goodwill.”

He denied there was any instruction to include any player in the team and wished Dravid and his boys a successful tour.—Agencies