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'We need to be positive,' says Sachin

"I am not after any powers, I only think in the interest of the team and the country winning," captain of the Colombo-bound Indian cricket team Sachin Tendulkar said in Chennai on Tuesday.

Addressing his first press conference in course of the four-day preparation camp which began on Monday, Tendulkar said he expected 100 per cent from every player. "Even if a couple of them do not give that, they should at least try hard," Sachin said, seemingly ready to erase memories of the World Cup.

Sachin, who faced a barrage of aggressive queries on his second stint as the captain and Vinod Kambli's comeback, said his approach to captaincy would be the same as the last time.

"I will be neutral to all players. Friendship will be only off the field," Sachin averred.

Asked if the team was confident of winning against World Cup holders Australia, Sachin, answering in the affirmative, said, "We have to think positive. Nothing can be achieved if we are negative. The players have to get into the groove."

Asked if he considered leading an Indian team a tough assignment, Sachin shot back, "Playing professional cricket itself is a tough assignment."

Spiking any speculative and aggressive queries on his Mumbai colleague Vinod Kambli's comeback, Sachin said Kambli was left out of the World Cup squad only to try out Amay Khurasia and because of the injury he sustained in between. "But I am happy to see MSK Prasad getting a big break," he said.

Now that Azharuddin had to sit out due to injury there was a slot for Kambli to come in, Sachin added.

Asked if the team had evolved any strategy, Sachin said "We have to see what kind of wickets we would be playing on."

Asked what the team could gain in a four-day camp, Sachin said, "We are working out on a few things. I cannot disclose that to you."

The team was put through another rigorous stint of batting, bowling and fielding exercises, all videographed. Asked about it, Sachin said, "The players can play the videos back in their hotel rooms and iron out the shortcomings they notice."

Sachin and Gaekwad are scheduled to address a joint media conference again on the final day of the camp, on August 19. The team will leave for Colombo on the morning of August 20.