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We'll go for the kill: Sachin

Disappointed with the team's performance in the Mohali Test, coach Kapil Dev and skipper Sachin Tendulkar today asserted that the Indian team will play a positive game in the second Test against New Zealand, beginning at Kanpur tomorrow, to earn a result and go one up in the three-Test series.

Talking to newspersons after a gruelling practice session today, both Kapil and Sachin asserted that they will go for the kill irrespective of the type of track they get.

"Whatever type of track we get, our approach will be to go for the kill. We want to win irrespective of the nature of wicket,'' said Sachin.

''Both teams must play to get results,'' said the world record holder for most Test wickets, adding it is necessarry to get results "to bring people back to watch Test matches".

Sachin, who was disappointed after New Zealand held on to force a draw in the first Test, said: ''One of the positive aspects of the Mohali Test was that the boys did not give up. This quality will help the team to hold an edge over the Kiwis, who miserably lost to Ranji champions Karnataka in the three-day match at Bangalore."

Sachin seemed pleased with the Green Park wicket and hoped his bowlers will exploit it. ''The Karnataka bowling attack is basically the Indian bowling line-up. We will try to score a big total to give a chance to the spinners to exploit the track. Our players should not worry about pressure and should rather strive to play their best shots,'' he said.

Asked about the strategy for tomorrow's match, Sachin echoed Kapil's words, saying: ''Enjoy cricket to perform better."

Kapil said: "My advice to players is to play from the heart. When they are in the field, they have to focus on the game.''

''All I can say is that I am with them to ease their tension, not to create it. I am trying to guide them. However, they are so good and confident that I do not really know how much of my asssistance they need.''

''They have a lot of hard work to do in the next five days. They will have to start at zero each morning and get 100 per cent result by the end of the day.''

Agencies