Pakistan tour will not be easy, says unperturbed Rach

Rach knows his fate is on the line every time the team falters. ‘‘I have plans for this team, both long-term and short-term. And this series figures as a good learning exerience for the bunch of youngsters against a superior squad. We get eight matches against Pakistan, it’s a great opportunity. Winning even two of the four matches in Pakistan will mean levelling the series, and that will be a morale-booster.’’

His plans include the World Cup in 2006 and, of course, the Olympics in 2008. And the Champions Trophy next year.

Rach has been with the team for some time now. What does he think of his charges? ‘‘I can’t say the team is the best, but it is not very bad. We are somewhere in the middle right now. We need to move up, and we are trying to work on it.’’

Rach says there will be no excuses for not putting in maximum effort. ‘‘Yes, the team did not train for long; I haven’t had time enough with them but these are no excuses. At international level, you need to adjust to all this, and more.’’

The lack of the famed Indian forward line does not bother him. ‘‘These players play at the highest level in India, so they have to be good. And it is an advantage for us, since Pakistan do not know them very well. They cannot plan a strategy in advance.’’

Reserve custodian Devesh Chauhan, riding high on the Arjuna Award he recieved on Tuesday, endorsed the coach’s views. ‘‘Everyone needs time to settle down. I feel he should be given at least six months to show results, even though he did not play me at Athens. He tries to do the best for the team.’’

Chauhan knows he will have to fight to reclaim his own place in the team. ‘‘A tough tour always gives newcomers a chance to stake claim in the main team. Adrian got the chance at Olympics, and he grabbed it. This tour will do the same for the new forwards, and the team will benefit most’’, he said.