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India keen to get into early rhythm
 Dambulla, July 15: India launch their Asia Cup cricket campaign against minnows UAE here tomorrow, determined not only to get into early rhythm but also to extend their successful run into the new season. The day-night match against the newcomers could prove to be a cakewalk for the formidable Indians, but both captain Sourav Ganguly and coach John Wright were not ready to take the opposition lightly stressing the need to get into form quickly after a three-month break.
Indians, currently viewed as the second best team in the world, are keen to convert the new respect into a halo and to put the competing teams, including arch-rivals Pakistan, on an alert notice for the duration of the tournament, held after a gap of four years. The Indian think-tank do not have much data available on the Emirates team but they intend to sleepwalk through the game, riding on the back of their match-winning bowlers and quality batsmen.
 There is not much room for experiment within the team but it appears off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will figure in the playing eleven as the dry conditions during the day-night encounter at the Dambulla International Stadium might just call for the spin card. Harbhajan, returning to the squad after a seven-month-long injury lay-off, will be happy about the ground as the dryness in this northern highland of the country help the slow bowlers. (Agencies)
Published: Thursday, July 15, 2004
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