Dravid to lead India in Mohali

CHANDIGARH: Rahul Dravid will lead the Indian team in the second test match at the Mohali Stadium beginning on October 16. The announcement was made by Dravid at a press conference held at the PCA Stadium on Wednesday.
Saurav Ganguly will not be playing the match due to the pain in the left thigh as a result of the cyst removal operation, conducted at the Fortis Hospital in Chandigarh on Tuesday.
Addressing the press conference, Dravid said that he was told of the responsibility just before the press conference by Saurav Ganguly himself and the feeling has not yet sunk in that he would be leading the Indian side for the first time in a test match.
Dravid assured that captaincy would not affect his batting form. He has not been given the responsibility on a long time basis and this was for the current match only.
Regarding his approach in the match, Dravid said that although winning is important, he would stress on the players to play good cricket as this was a series-deciding match. "We are under pressure but so are the Kiwis."
Talking about the nature of the wicket, Dravid said that the pitch looked different from the one in which they played New Zealand in 1999. "I don''t want to predict as to how the surface will behave, but I feel that it will help produce a good game. It is a good pitch."
Regarding the playing eleven in the absence of Saurav Ganguly, Dravid said that a final decision would be taken by today evening. When asked as to whether the local boy Yuvraj Singh would get to play, he said that Yuvraj''s chances are bright. "But I don''t want to rule out anybody. A final decision will be taken by the selectors in consultation with the coach and myself," he said.
The Kiwis on the other hand, did not express any reaction over the absence of Saurav Ganguly from the Indian team. In the press conference held after Rahul Dravid had addressed the media, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said that it makes no difference to the team''s strategy against India. "They are a good team and the absence of a player doesn''t make much of a difference," he said.
When asked about the nature of the pitch and whether the Kiwi bowlers would relish bowling on it, he said "the Indian perception of pace and bounce is different from ours." He said that the Indian wicket doesn''t measure up to their definition.
Regarding the mood of the team after the drawn test at Ahmedabad, he said that holding on for a draw had boosted the confidence of the players and they would go into the match with an advantage.
The New Zealand captain expressed his fond memories at the Mohali wicket, "As we had bowled out India for 83 runs in the first innings of the 1999 test and I hope the bowlers will do something similar."
On his personal form, which has been wayward, he said "There is nothing wrong with my form. I am hitting the ball well in the net and my innings will come along sooner or later."