Dhaka: India's stand-in coach Ashok Malhotra said on Sunday the team was fitter than ever and he praised physical trainer Adrian le Roux for the transformation of its fitness levels.

"Our team is really very, very fit," Malhotra said. "It is not easy playing in the hot and humid conditions here, but it doesn't seem to affect the players at all."

A former India player and a national selector until last year, Malhotra said he could see the difference in the players' attitude towards fitness as well as towards the game.

India has the services of South African le Roux for about a year now and Malhotra said the team was instilled with a sense of purpose with the fitness mantra.

"The clinical performance against Bangladesh on Friday showed our determination. To give nothing away even in a not-so-important match is no mean achievement."

India thrashed Bangladesh by 199 runs in the opening match of a three-nation tournament also featuring South Africa, bowling out the hosts for their second- lowest score of 77.

Malhotra said fitness was directly related to India's fine performance in this year's World Cup in southern Africa, where they made the final. "Our pace bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra are major beneficiaries of the new attitude. Le Roux and physiotherapist Andrew Leipus are responsible for ensuring their fitness."

Malhotra, who had to take the place of John Wright as the New Zealander rushed home because of his father's death, also praised the reserve players who were forced into action here by the absence of five key players.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumble are not in the team either because of small injuries or to rest after 18 months of almost non-stop cricket.

In the event, India capped paceman Avishkar Salvi and opener Gautam Gambhir in the opening match against Bangladesh, with the seamer taking two wickets and left-hander Gambhir scoring 11 runs.

"I think Salvi bowled well for his first match. On a recent India A tour of the West Indies, he was excellent," said Malhotra, who coached that team. "The team management intends to make full use of this tournament by giving maximum chances to youngsters. Captain Saurav Ganguly is batting at number three for that very reason.