Three-day 'Mission Secret' was a new experience: Dravid

Bangalore, July 29 (UNI) The physical and mental fitness of the members of Team India was put to severe test at the three day fitness camp held at the Pegasus Centre of Excellence, 65 km from here, revealed skipper Rahul Dravid.

Returning from the strenous tests, Dravid told newsmen here today that it was a new experience for him and the members and provided was a good opportunity to learn more, he added.

He said the three day camp held without any media glare was physcially challenged and tested the mental capability of every player. A lot of team work was required to win competitions.

Team India players selected for tri-series in Sri Lanka, beginning next month with South Africa being the third team, are currently undergoing a week long 'Fitness Camp' here.

When asked whether the camp was successful, Dravid said ''You cannot judge within three days whether it was successful or not because it depends upon continuing whatever learnt in the camp.'' When asked how different this camp as compared to previous one, ''The Wall' said that there is no much difference, but what we had for the last three days was a new experience to the players including me. It gave good experience to players to learn more to become physically and mentally strong and the result can be known only when it was adopted to perform well in the field.

Replying to a question whether the camp was also aimed at preparation for World Cup 2007, he said ''Every camp has some element meant for short term and for long term. It was a good opportunity for the players to learn and in the long term it will give the boys to think about.'' He said that Tai-chi scheduled for this evening meant for improving concentration was a new experience for him and he is looking forward to it. ''However, whether it is Yoga or Tai-Chi, unless you practice it continuously it will not help,''he added.

When asked about ace Medium pacer Irfan Pathan arriving early for the Camp, Dravid said that since there was rain in Baroda he could not practice there and hence he came early.

He said, ''I am impressed by the players performance during the camp. All are enthuistic to learn and showed keen interest in the camp which was more focused in and the team is looking at the tri-series and down under.'' The team underwent Army routine during the camp and the experience and there was enough time for exchanging views and for discussion among the players. ''We stayed in tents and it was good experience.'' Replying to a question, he said, ''We are confident of the team fitness, but the camp was to give the players a new experience.'' When asked whether the team has sufficient time for cricket practice, Dravid replied in the affirmative. Besides the cricket skill camp at the National Cricket Academy beginning on August Six, the team would have enough practice matches after reachingSri Lanka, he added.

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