Sehwag: Indian cricket team arrives to play good cricket

We are here to play good cricket, said Virendar Sehwag, India's hard hitting opening batsman while talking to sports scribes at the airport, reports BSS.

A 24-member star-studded Indian team arrived in the capital this afternoon to take part in a Tri-Nation (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka) beginning from tomorrow (Monday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Sehwag who is in supreme touch, talked to the waiting newsmen on behalf of his Team India. When asked if his team had any particular goal, Sehwag said, "We are here to play good cricket."

When asked since India is number one in ICC test ranking would it mean that India plans to take this series in a different way, Sehwag in reply said, "Our only target is here to play good cricket. So, if we play good cricket the result will automatically SEE our position remains at the top."

When asked about the strength of the other team Sri Lanka, Sehwag said, "We have respect for both the teams. There is no question of taking things lightly and we expect both teams to be equally very competitive. Despite Sri Lanka resting some of their senior players, I believe they are a very tough side."

While talking about Bangladesh Sehwag said, "I believe Bangladesh is a good competitive side and their track record says that they are capable of beating any team on their day. All matches will be played with serious consideration'.

When asked if he knew that captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was ruled out of the Tri-Nation Series and without him how much it will effect Bangladesh team, Sehwag said, 'I am sorry I did not know that Mashrafe was not playing in this series. But you must remember whoever is replacing him is playing for his country. The replacement will give his heart and soul to do well for his country.'

Regarding his epic form, Sehwag said, "Yes, I am going through a good touch and my humble efforts will be to continue on with the good work with the willow."

However, Sehwag said all the sub-continent pitches look similar and pitches in Dhaka will not be any factor but of course dew might be a big factor in deciding the match. "I saw in the television the Zimbabwe -Bangladesh series, team batting second won most of the matches. So the dew factor will be one of the major reasons for deciding the matches.

India squad: MS Dhoni (Captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Yuvraj Singh, Sudeep Tyagi, Dinesh Karthik, Sreesanth, Ashok Dinda and Amit Mishra.

Team management: Gary Kirsten- coach, Paddy Upton - mental conditioning coach, Ramesh Mane - masseur, Mayank Parikh - BCCI coordinator, CKM Dhananjay - computer analyst, Nitin Patel - physiotherapist, Ramji Srinivasan - trainer, Arshad Ayub - administrative manager.

Meanwhile,AdTouch earned the sponsorship rights for Title, Package 1 and Package 2 for Tri-Nation (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka) Tournament and the two-Test series between Bangladesh and India 2010.

BCB announced the details of the sponsorship at a conference Saturday.

BCB's Chairman of Marketing and Commercial Committee Aziz Al Kaiser, Vice Chairman of Marketing and Commercial Committee Syed Farhad Ahmed, BCB vice president Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby and CEO of Ad Touch S Subhas were also present on the occasion.

The total sponsorship amount is US$ 826,360.00 which is equivalent to BDT 57,845,200.00 for all three packages.

The Title Sponsor of the Tri-Nation Tournament and the Test Matches is 'IDEA'. The event name is 'IDEA CUP 2010'.

The Title Sponsor will also provide Prize Money worth US$ 53,000.00 which includes both BCB and Player's share and other relevant prizes.

AdTouch has also achieved sponsorship rights for Package 1 and 2. The rights include:

24 perimeter boards, Mid-wall branding, Flood light tower branding, Bowling ends branding, Midwicket pitch mat, Boundary rope.

AdTouch will be also providing prize money for Fastest Fifty (US$ 14,000.00 which includes BCB and the player's share) and Super Six (US$ 14,000.00 which includes both BCB and Player's share).