Cricket Board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya today expressed confidence that India would be able to win the Asia Cup cricket tournament in Sri Lanka with the team having overcome the initial rustiness.
"We lifted the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. I do not think the result will be different tomorrow (in the Asia Cup final). I think we are going to take the trophy back home", Dalmiya, who was in Chennai from Kolkatta enroute to Colombo, told reporters at the airport.
When a reporter pointed out that the Indian performance against Sri Lanka was not convincing, Dalmiya said: "What happens is that when we start a season, it takes a little time to settle down due to various reasons like climate. Sri Lanka is playing at home. They are slightly better."
"Fortunately, the climatic conditions in India and Sri Lanka is not very different. They (Indians) are going into the match after a bit of lay off. Now you have seen, they are improving from match to match", he said.
Dalmiya denied reports that the BCCI had sent some players who had not fully recovered from injuries.
{{/usCountry}}Dalmiya denied reports that the BCCI had sent some players who had not fully recovered from injuries.
{{/usCountry}}"This is not correct. There is a difference between physical condition and cricket condition. Laxman went there and got injured. Zaheer got injured in Islamabad. You can't help it. The team has gone there with full fitness. I have also seen such reports, but it is all absolutely wrong", he said.
"We give a free hand to the selection committee", he said.
On the schedule of the Indian cricket team, the Board chief said after the Asia cup, India play in a triangular series with Pakistan and Australia in Holland between August 21 to 28.
"After this they move to England, where they play three matches on September 1, 3 and 5. And then the Champions Trophy", he said.