Parthiv Patel raring to
go in England

Up-and-coming wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel says playing alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid in the Indian team would be a dream come true for him.

"Being with the Indian team in England along with players like Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly will be a dream come true," the 17-year-old declared on Friday, before leaving for London along with Wasim Jaffer, Sanjay Bangar and Shiv Sunder Das to join the team for the Test series against England, starting July 25.

"I know it will be difficult for me to play in any of the Tests, but if I get a chance to play in any of the side games I will give 100 per cent," the Gujarat player said, adding even if he fails to play a single game on the tour it would be a very good experience.

The cherubic southpaw from Ahmedabad, who is also the youngest member in the Indian team, attended a special camp for wicketkeepers at Bangalore last month during which he interacted with former stumpers Rodney Marsh of Australia and India's Syed Kirmani and Kiran More.

"It is a long tour with a number of side games and, hopefully, I might be able to make an impact if I get a chance in one of the games," Patel said.

The two specialist openers Das and Jaffer too were confident of doing well in England. Das, who was out of form throughout the West Indies tour, is hopeful of getting a big score in the first two side games before the first Test at Lord's.

Jaffer, who had a good tour of the West Indies, said his dream is to score a big hundred against England.

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