Team ready for Sri Lankan challenge: Dravid

Bangalore, Aug 10 (UNI) Indian cricket team captain Rahul Dravid today said that his team was fully geared up and raring to meet Sri Lanka and South Africa to be played in the Island nation from August 14.

Talking to newsmen before team's departure to Colombo, he said ''the boys are really looking forward to this series. Mood is upbeat and they have developed good sprit and geared up for the series.'' Defending the short practice sessison for three days, he said, ''We have enough time to practice in Sri Lanka before our first match and get into the groove.'' Though the series begins on August 14, India would be playing its first match on August 16 against Sri Lanka.

''Both Physical fitness and mental alertness is important to build good spirit. The training the boys had at the fitness camp and the army base will certainly help in building the players' physical strength as well as concentration,'' he added.

To another question, the skipper declined to reveal the team's strategy for the series, saying that ''I cannot reveal the match strategy a week in advance. No team announces the strategy in advance.'' MORE UNI MSP RS AY VC2212