Dravid wary of Scottish talent

Rahul Dravid is looking forward to coming up against his former team-mates © Getty Images

India captain Rahul Dravid insists Scotland can pose his side problems in Thursday’s one-day international in Glasgow.

Dravid has brought his men north to face the international minnows days after completing a Test series win in England - only the third in India’s history on English soil.

But the batsman knows from his spell playing as an overseas professional for Scotland in 2003 that the soft underfoot conditions are difficult for even the top teams in the world.

“When I was in Scotland we played against Pakistan and Pakistan won the game by one run,” Dravid said.

“That was the full Pakistan side and we should have won.

“In these conditions anything can happen. Scotland certainly have a chance. We are not going to be taking anything for granted.”

Dravid spent the day practising in Glasgow © Getty Images

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The 34-year-old may be forgiven for viewing a one-day clash against Scotland as an unwelcome distraction following their triumph over England.

While his country celebrated the 60th anniversary of its independence, Dravid was putting his players through their paces at Titwood in the south side of Glasgow, Scotland’s newest international venue.

But while Dravid will rest some of the players who secured their 1-0 triumph in England, he is excited at the prospect of facing the team he once played for.

“It is special to come back here and play against Scotland,” said Dravid, who earlier this year became the sixth batsman to hit 10,000 runs in one-day internationals.

“It’s going to be a good occasion, the first time India have played Scotland in a one-day international.

“I really had a great time when I played here. I really enjoyed the friendships I made with the players and officials.

Ryan Watson refuses to be overawed

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“It was a very special three months for my wife and I to get the love and warmth of the people here.”

Scotland skipper Ryan Watson agrees that the soft pitch will benefit his men.

“We know the conditions,” he said. “In India it might be another story but in Scotland it brings it very much in our favour.

“We have got decent seamers who are used to these conditions.”

And Watson refutes any suggestion that his players, who will include former England batsman Gavin Hamilton, will be overawed by their opponents.

“The World Cup was a fantastic opportunity to mingle with players of this calibre,” the 30-year-old said.

“We are far more comfortable playing on the big stage.

“In our last game against the West Indies we ran them quite close.”

The Forfarshire player is also keen to get an insight into India ahead of their meeting in next month’s World Twenty20 Championships in South Africa.

“It will be a really good opportunity to see some of the players,” the Harare-born all-rounder said.

“Their squad changes a bit but we can get an idea of what they do.”