A refreshing work ethic from the players has helped India dominate Sri Lanka [Images] in the current one-day series, according to their captain Rahul Dravid [Images].

"It's very important in a team that you've got the right people in the squad, I mean people who are willing to challenge themselves to raise the bar and to become better players," Dravid told Reuters on Thursday.

Dravid has guided India to a 5-1 lead in the seven-match series after a string of poor one-day results. The final game will be played in Vadodara on Saturday.

Dravid, 32, was appointed captain before the series after Sourav Ganguly [Images] was sacked following his prolonged batting slump and a major row with coach Greg Chappell [Images].

The team management have rotated players, trying out newcomers ahead of the 2007 World Cup.

"The whole squad is playing good cricket, that is the key," Dravid said. "With a lot of people performing, we can move people around without affecting the squad as such."

Dravid, who is also in good form with the bat, has been appointed captain until the one-day series against visiting South Africa [Images] starting next week.

YOUTH BRIGADE

Young seamers Irfan Pathan [Images] and Rudra Pratap Singh, and opening batsman Gautam Gambhir [Images] have all contributed alongside stalwarts such as Sachin Tendulkar [Images].

"It's nice to see they are delivering," Dravid said. "But it's a long road for the young kids. In international cricket, successes are judged by what you have done after a while when people have figured you out."

Dravid, the batting sheet anchor who deputised whenever Ganguly was injured or suspended, is happy to be in charge.

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"If you're given the job, then it does help to get the message across, it does help from a team's perspective," he said. "The guys know who is in charge."

"It's still early days as captain and I'm learning along the way. It helps to have someone like Greg around. To talk to him you know, he's done it before."

Regarded as a softly-spoken player, Dravid said he could be tough when required.

"Sometimes you get portrayed as something and that's what probably sticks with you," he said. "As a captain you've got to make some tough decisions.