Kolkata: With a spring in their steps and eyes brimming with confidence, the rookies in the Indian team are aspiring to make their national call memorable with scintillating performances in the Bangladesh tri-series.

Elated with their inclusion in the Indian side, three of the newcomers - young paceman Aavishkar Salvi, Delhi opener Gautam Gambhir, and middle-order bat Abhijit Kale - are upbeat about winning the Dhaka tourney beginning Friday. "We will put in our best efforts. Ours is a good side capable of winning the championship," was the common refrain of Salvi, Gambhir and Kale, minutes before leaving for the airport from the team hotel here on Wednesday.

Not accustomed to the continuous glare of television cameras and the mad scramble from newspersons for quotes, they seemed awed by the occasion. ''Being a part of the Indian team is a great experience. I am very positive about the Dhaka meet,'' said Salvi, who hogged the limelight after finishing as the highest Indian 'A' wicket- taker with a rich haul of 31 scalps during the side's recent tour to West Indies

Salvi's exploits drew praise from coach Ashok Malhtora, and impressed skipper Saurav Ganguly, who pitched for his inclusion.

Gambhir, who regards Ganguly as his idol, said that he dreamt of opening the batting with the Indian captain. However, with Ganguly saying at the airport that vice- captain Virender Sehwag was sure as one opener, one doubts whether Gambhir's dream would come true in Dhaka.

Gambhir, another success story in the Caribbeans emerging as the top-scorer for India 'A' aggregating 617 runs, said he was optimistic about continuing with the purple patch in Dhaka.

Kale, now 31 years, said that he was expecting a berth in the national squad for quite some time. ''I have been playing consistently for the past couple of years. I was hoping to be included in the national side,'' he said.

Another youngster, but a regular in the Indian team, Yuvraj Singh almost echoed the new players. ''We have a well-balanced side. I feel we have every chance of returning with flying colours,'' the dashing batsman said.

Extras:
India, SA have a lot of young blood: Ganguly