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Seven Indian players to
take a break

Seven Indian cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Sourav Ganguly, have left for India for a brief holiday.

Sachin and Sourav alongwith Virender Sehwag, V V S Laxman, Ajit Agarkar, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumle left last night to spend some time with their families, the team management said, adding they are expected to return by Wednesday.

This year the Indian team has had a hectic schedule touring the West Indies and then England.

In fact, they had a gap of only four days between the final Test in England and the first match at the Champions Trophy.

India, one of the favourites alongside Australia and hosts Sri Lanka to win the title, won their opening match against Zimbabwe in a sensational thriller by 14 runs.

The Indian batting first rode on the crest of young Mohammad Kaif's maiden hundred (111 not out) and in-form Rahul Dravid's pugnacious half century (71) to pile up a big total of 288 for six.

They then survived a scare in the form of left hander Andy flower (145), who single-handedly brought his team to the doorstep of victory before Zimbabwe fell short by 14 runs.

India take on England in its second and last Pool B match on September 22.