BANGALORE (India), July 19: Leading batsman Rahul Dravid has shrugged off the idea it will be an extra burden to captain India when they try to reverse their poor one-day form in a tri-series in Sri Lanka which starts on July 30.

Dravid was pleased to be named skipper for a full series, which also involves West Indies, for the first time.

“It is a bit different in the sense as a stand-in captain obviously you come in probably at the last minute or just a day before the game,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“It gives me a chance to put some strategies in place and gives me a bit more time. I don’t see it as an additional burden.”

Dravid, 32, who has previously deputised for Saurav Ganguly in one-dayers and Tests, was chosen on Monday to replace the skipper.

Ganguly’s participation in the tri-series hinges on the outcome of his second appeal against a six-match ban.

He was provisionally included in a 16-man squad and will travel to the tournament if his appeal is successful.

Ganguly was banned in April for six one-dayers following his team’s slow over rate in two consecutive limited-overs games during a 4-2 home series defeat by Pakistan.

His initial appeal was rejected by the International Cricket Council (ICC) match commissioner.

Although ICC rules say the decision is binding, the Indian board appealed to the ICC’s Disputes Resolution Committee, contesting rules governing the ban and procedures adopted by match commissioner Michael Beloff.

South African judge Albie Sachs, hearing the latest appeal, said he would give his decision only after July 22, the deadline for both parties to give their written submissions.

Dravid hoped Ganguly would be cleared to play.

“If Saurav is there to play, he has got tons of experience and he is a very successful one-day player.

“It will be fantastic to have him back in the side if he comes back, depending on what decision is taken.”

India’s last outright victory in a series involving more than two teams was in August 2002.

They started their 2004-05 season in Sri Lanka, losing to the hosts in the Asia Cup final to begin a series of poor one-day performances.

“A disappointing start to last season doesn’t automatically mean it will be disappointing again,” Dravid said.

“The guys are looking forward to starting a new season, with a new coach and to put some new things in place.”

The tournament will mark former Australia captain Greg Chappell’s first series since taking over as coach of India from New Zealander John Wright.

Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody and West Indies coach Bennett King are also from Australia.

“I don’t think there will be any more or less rivalry,” Chappell said. “We’ll be cordial no doubt but we will have our hands full doing our own thing.”—Reuters