India bullish ahead of tour opener at Lord’s

LONDON: World champions India are brimming with confidence ahead of their forthcoming four-match Test series against England with the first Test at Lord’s next week.
India’s seasoned middle-order batsman VVS Laxman and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan are both confident the world’s No 1 Test side can continue their streak in England.
Laxman said that India are focussed on continuing the good work that they have done over the last couple of years.
“We are preparing well for each and every Test and that has been converted into good results for us. We have to stay focussed and continue doing the good work that we have done over the last few years,” said Laxman.
“If we can play to our potential, we can definitely beat any side in the world and we have proved it in the recent past.”
The stylish right-handed batsman added that England are a great side, having beaten the Australians at home in the Ashes series.
“England have done extremely well in the recent past. Beating Australia in their home is a great achievement for any team. England are in a good form. It is going to be a highly competitive series,” said Laxman.
Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Zaheer said there is no pressure on India to prove anything and feels that if India can play good cricket, they can win the series.
“There is no burden on our team to prove anything. If we play good cricket we will win matches and then everything else will take care of itself. I’ve got confidence from the previous tours I’ve had here as well as the county season I played, which makes me familiar with conditions,” Zaheer was quoted as saying by The Mirror.
Zaheer wants teammate Sachin Tendulkar to get his 100th century in the first Test at Lord’s starting Thursday. The Lord’s Test will be the 100th match between the two sides, the 2,000th Test of all time. “That would be great. It is going to be a massive game and a massive series,” said Zaheer.

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