Long camp always good, says Lalchand Rajput

BANGALORE: With a good ten days to get his boys in good shape, unlike the last time, India ‘A’ coach Lalchand Rajput was confident of doing well during the tour of New Zealand that begins on September 18.
Lack of preparation was believed to be the reason for India’s poor run in the West Indies in June. "We did not have a proper camp before our last tour to the Caribbean.We just had two days to prepare and never had any practice games in Windies because it was raining," Rajput said after the first day of the preparatory camp at NCA.
"This time we are preparing as per Kiwi conditions, so it is good we are in Bangalore because it is similar to New Zealand," said Rajput.
In their previous tour, the team had a mix of senior Indian cricketers in the side. But this time, the team wears a new look with more domestic achievers being included in the squad and that makes the coach believe that the Kiwi tour would be an opportunity for the newcomers to prove their mettle.
"The 'A' team that travelled to West Indies had a lot of senior players in it. Now the selectors have provided a chance to players who have done well on the domestic circuit and who have not been tested at a higher level. This is an opportunity for them to show their worth," noted the 50-year-old.