Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that the team is all geared up and ‘physically and mentally’ ready for the long season ahead.
“The one-and-a-half month break after the IPL-V season was good and we also had breaks between each of the five One-Day Internationals played in Sri Lanka. We are all ready on the physical and mental aspects for the Test series against New Zealand,” The Hindu quoted Dhoni.
“Slowly we will get into the Test match format of the game. Probably the season will end with the IPL in 2013, so we have to look ahead every 15 days. The focus will be on fitness right through the long season,” he added.
Meanwhile a report in The TOI mentioned Dhoni as saying that with the return of Yuvraj Singh in the team, dressing room will become livelier again.
"When Yuvraj was not there Virat had taken upon that job. We missed Yuvraj as a character in the dressing room apart from his batting skills. With him being back the atmosphere in the dressing room will become livelier again," Dhoni said.
The report also mentioned Yuvraj as saying that he was feeling good to be back but a bit nervous too after a long break from cricket.
"I am feeling good. I have worked hard for the last two months. I am nervous. I never thought I will get another chance (to play for India). I feel as if it is the first game for me," said Yuvraj who has been chosen in the Indian team for the series against New Zealand and the World T20,” said Yuvraj