Eight Indian cricket players return from Lanka

Chennai, Aug 21 (UNI) Eight players of the Indian cricket squad for the aborted tri and bilateral series in Sri Lanka returned here from Colombo tonight.

The players, who came by a Air Lanka flight, include Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar, M S Dhoni, Sreeshanth, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, R P Singh and Romesh Powar.

The coach Greg Chappell, Manager Sanjay Jagdale and other support staff also accompanied the players.

In a brief chat with the waiting television Channels and a few reporters, the team media manager, Rajan Nair said the team had gone to Sri Lanka with great expectations of performing well in the tri-series against South Africa and Sri Lanka. But, unfortunately, the tour had to be abandned due to inclement weather and an unfortunate incident (bomb blast near the hotel).

Asked if the abanonded tri-series would be replayed, as announced, next year, Mr Nair said ''yes, but we do not know when exactly.'' He said the exact date would be decided later.

Not only in India and Sri Lanka, but Sachin's fans all over the world were looking forward to see him in full flow in the tri-series, he added.

Some of the Indian players, including skipper Rahul Dravid left home directly from Colombo yesterday, he may be recalled.

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