Test skipper Anil Kumble has backed MS Dhoni saying that back-to-back ODI games can be tough on players.

Kumble, who was conducting the camp in Bangalore ahead of India's tour to Sri Lanka later in the month, told reporters: "It is not easy to play two games in two days and it will be quite tough and demanding on all the players."

Kumble's support will come as a shot in the arm for Dhoni, who was asked by the BCCI to get on with the game rather than complain about the tight schedule at the ongoing STAR Cricket Asia Cup.

"If a player wants rest, he can inform the Board and we'll be happy to send replacements. The schedule of Asia Cup was known well in advance," BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla had said while responding to Dhoni's comments.

The surprising part of this entire episode is the fact that the BCCI was aware of the tight schedule when it was circulated almost six weeks in advance but chose to keep mum over it.

Apart from the schedule issue, Kumble also fielded questions on upcoming players and team combinations.

The Test skipper said that both Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma had the mettle to make it to the Test team. "It was nice to have such good talent waiting in the wings to enter the test team.

"We as a Test team have played exceptionally well during the last two tours. We will sit in Mumbai on July 8 to figure out what sort of combination we need for Sri Lanka," he said.

He told reporters that following the selection, the players will assemble in Chennai for a two-day practice session, before leaving for Colombo.

India will play three Tests and five one-day games, with the first Test beginning on July 23.

Veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who abstained from the camp, were away in England, but Kumble did not seem perturbed about that at all.

"They are in England for personal work. They are seniors and know what is expected of them," he said.

While Tendulkar is playing local cricket, Ganguly is by the side of his father, who is undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Asked about the proposed referral system for umpiring decisions that would be tested in Sri Lanka, Kumble said: "This is still in the experimental stage and we have to look at it in Sri Lanka and then only comment on it. This is all new to us, we have to see how technology works in this aspect."