August 11, 2006	Friday	Rajab 15, 1427

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BANGALORE, Aug 10: India captain Rahul Dravid has identified batting in the middle overs and rotating the strike against the slow bowlers as key areas for his team in a one-day tri-series starting in Sri Lanka on Monday.

“Batting in the middle overs and rotating the strike against the slow bowlers is something we think we should get better at,” he told reporters on Thursday before his team's departure for the Aug 14-29 tournament, which also involves South Africa.

“Sri Lanka is a place where we have not done well. We see it as a challenge, an opportunity to try and play some good cricket in tough conditions.”

India have not won a one-day tournament outright in Sri Lanka since 1998 and suffered a 4-1 series defeat on their recent tour of West Indies.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are on a high after routing hosts England 5-0 in a one-day series and then dominating South Africa to sweep their two-test series at home this week.

“Sri Lanka have done well in England and against South Africa also they played well in both the tests,” Dravid said.

“South Africa is also a good team which is above us in rankings.”

Coach Greg Chappell said batsman Sachin Tendulkar was yet to reach full fitness after recovering from his shoulder surgery in March, but added it was not a concern.

“He is not fully fit, so close to it, but it will be satisfactory for everyone,” he said.

“His fitness is improving everyday, his batting during the camp was very good. We haven't pushed him very hard at this stage with regard to his fielding, but we are confident.”

Dravid was more concerned about India's batting against Sri Lankan spinners on slow pitches than heightened security due to renewed fighting in the island between Tamil Tiger rebels and the army.

“Security, I don't think we are worried about,” he said.

“We are very confident the Sri Lankan authorities, Sri Lanka Cricket would have everything in place.” —Reuters