Rift in Indian camp might help but focus is on game, says Takeuchi

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) The visiting Japanese team will look to draw advantage from the brewing rift in the Indian camp, captain Eiji Takeuchi said here today and added that his team is well prepared for the upcoming Davis Cup tie that gets underway from April 11.

''We know they (Indian players) are a little low and there are some problems with the players in the Indian team but we need to concentrate on our own game,'' Takeuchi told UNI after his team's practice session at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI).

''It (rift) might help us but we are more focussed on the game,'' he added.

He also cautioned the Indian team to be ready for their challenge and said they have been preparing well in advance to play in Indian conditions.

''Back home we played in indoor courts with heaters on for ten days. The temperatures were increased to high degrees so that the players don't find it hard to adjust to Indian conditions,'' he said.

Though the Japanese players do not have much of experience on grass courts, Takeuchi, who is the non playing captain, said his side's top ranked player Kei Nishikori will be the man to watch out for.

''We know the conditions are tough here, but Go has a fair experience on grass courts besides Suzuki plays well on grass while Nishikori is good too. He has the ability to adjust to the conditions.

''He (Nishikori) comes from Florida where the whether is almost similar to what we face here,'' he added.

He sounded relatively satisfied with his team's practice so far and said they will look to save energy by not exposing players.

Just when the Japanese team called off there practice sessions in the afternoon, the Indian team began their work on the NSCI courts.

Mahesh Bhupathi, who was the missing face in the practice sessions till yesterday, teamed-up captain Leander Paes and played doubles under the hot sun before the former left the practice after just one-and-a-half hours.

However, Rohan Bopanna, who hit the nets for nearly four hours yesterday, was not to be seen around and did not turn up for the practice today.

UNI RAR RKM HT1537