Reuters:Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid is helped off the field by team officials after he suffered a head injury during a training session in Kolkata yesterday.

KOLKATA, India (Reuters);

INDIA CAPTAIN Rahul Dravid suffered a head injury at practice yesterday, two days before the team is due to leave for its tour of Bangladesh.

Dravid was hit in the face by a short ball from seamer Rudra Pratap Singh while batting at the preparatory camp.

The 34-year-old was struck through the gap between the helmet visor and grill while trying to sway away from a short delivery. He was bleeding profusely and was taken to hospital.

A board spokesman said the injury was not serious.

not serious

"His condition has been diagnosed as 'nose trauma'," the spokesman said. "He was hit on the grill and the ball grazed his nose. There was no cut, just bruises. It is not serious."

Dravid has been advised complete rest for the next 24 hours.

The selection committee did not name a vice captain for the tour, with senior batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly rested from the one-day side but retained for the Tests.

India, who suffered a shock exit in the first round of the World Cup, play a three-match one-day series against Bangladesh starting in Dhaka on Thursday followed by two Tests.

Out-of-form batsman Virender Sehwag made the one-day team but was dropped from the Test side.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan and pacer Ajit Agarkar, all part of the World Cup disappointment, were dropped from both teams.

Former captain Ravi Shastri was named cricket manager last month after Australian Greg Chappell resigned as coach.