IANS
Kolkata/Delhi, Nov 28: Pakistani pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar was Tuesday admitted in a private hospital in Kolkata with high fever and chest pain ahead of the second India-Pakistan Test match beginning at the Eden Gardens here Nov 30.
Akhtar complained of chest pain and was also running high fever, causing admission to the Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in this capital city soon after he arrived with his teammates in the afternoon, a team official said.
"It is nothing serious. He (Shoaib) is just suffering from viral fever. He will be fit in two days and hopefully will play the second Test match," said Pakistan media manager Javed Akhtar in Delhi.
Another Pakistani player, Misbah-ul-Haq, was also suffering from fever.
Meanwhile, Pakistan team sources said the ankle sprain of skipper Shoaib Malik was not so serious.
Pakistan are trailing 0-1 in the three-match series and the second Test against India starts Friday at the Eden Gardens.
India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the first Test at Ferozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi Monday.
I hope to do well at Eden again: Dravid
IANS
Kolkata: Former India skipper Rahul Dravid on Tuesday said he hoped that his love affair with Eden Gardens would continue in the Test against Pakistan, commencing November 30.
"It is a venue where I have one of my most memorable innings. Laxman and myself helped us win against Australia," Dravid said.
VVS Laxman with an unbeaten 275 runs with Dravid, who batted for an undefeated 155, put on 357 runs for the fifth wicket that helped India defeat Australia in 2001.
Rahul also made his first century in Ranji here in 1991 and tons in both the innings against Pakistan the last time the two teams played here.
"I think it's the venue that makes it so special. When 100,000 people back you, you want to show all your skills. I hope I can continue to play well here when we meet on Friday," he said.
Talking to reporters during an inauguration ceremony at a photo exhibition here, Dravid, considered Mr Dependant for India, said: "I love challenges. There is a certain desire and hunger in me that urge me to prove myself."
"I surely enjoy pressure. Whenever I am on the back-foot, I see it as an opportunity to show my skills," Dravid said.
Asked what records he wanted to set, Rahul said, "After playing for so long, one stops thinking about records. What matters is whether I can win matches and if I can do that I will be happy."
He then went on to add that to succeed at the international level, one needed to "work hard, learn to stay focused, but most importantly love the game."
Kumble happy with Eden pitch
IANS
Kolkata: Indian skipper Anil Kumble on Tuesday expressed his happiness over the preparation of the pitch at the Eden Gardens.
The Indian team arrived here Tuesday afternoon.
Team manager Lalchand Rajput accompanied Kumble to the Eden Gardens to inspect the pitch and the ground, and then they held a long discussion with curator Kalyan Mitra.
Later Mitra told IANS: "Both the skipper and manager were pleased with the pitch preparation.
"It would be traditional Eden pitch where there will be a purchase for everyone who works for it. While the pacers will get some help in the initial stages and then it should be to the spinners' liking."
Kumble and Rajput then went and met Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Prasun Mukherjee and Joint Secretary Samar Pal.
Pal said, "Kumble praised the facelift that Eden Gardens got."