The Indian cricket team left for Colombo on Saturday to take part in the three-nation tournament beginning on July 30.

The team led by Rahul Dravid took off at 12.25 pm amidst tight security arrangements at the Kamaraj International Airport in Chennai.

The flight, which was to leave at 11.50 am, was delayed by 35 minutes perhaps due to the late arrival of the flight from Delhi which carried vice-captain Virender Sehwag.

Sourav Ganguly, who has been provisionally included as the 16th member of the team, did not board the flight as his six-match ban has still not been lifted by the International Cricket Council.

Ganguly, who is currently playing for Glamorgan county in England, will join the team only if he is cleared by ICC.

The tri-series, also involving West Indies and hosts Sri Lanka, is the first assignment for new coach Australian Greg Chappell who took over the reins in May.