BANGALORE: Just consider this: Indians have played their matches on a Saturday, Sunday and are again slated to play on Sunday. Maybe, it is just coincidence; maybe, it was planned. After all television companies have to get a return on their huge investment and thus the reluctance to take a chance even with India matches on weekdays.
The schedule has anyway given India enough rest between matches to recharge, not just physically but also mentally. For the past two days now, post the hard-fought tie against England, the Indians have been taking it easy in the team hotel, taking their mind off cricket and doing just enough with their bodies to keep them tuned.
On Wednesday, keeping in mind the afternoon match between England and Ireland, eight of the team members went through a light morning session at the KSCA B ground, while the seniors Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh stayed away along with Sreesanth and Suresh Raina. Dasher Virender Sehwag, away in Delhi to consult his personal doctor, hadn't rejoined the team until the evening.
With three more days to go for the match against Ireland (March 6), which will be followed by the one against the Netherlands in Delhi on March 9, the think-tank has obviously been busy.
Having found it tough to defend two totals of well above 300, questions are bound to have come up about the combinations to field in the remaining matches. Whether to stick to the four bowlers-seven batsmen theory, one that has served them for a long time, or if a fifth bowler at the expense of the seventh batsman would be the better option, would be the topics of discussion.
To chase or set targets in case they win the toss again is also likely to be debated. The standard practice is in day-night conditions a team winning the toss would bat first unless there are definite chances of dew. Well, accepted standards have to be set aside as the Indians have encountered some unusual problems, especially after having done so well with the bat.
A lot of work then for the think tank first, followed naturally by the implementation of those final plans. With two minnows up next, it is time to try out a few plans.
Praveen back after surgery
Along with the Indian World Cuppers, also present at the NCA on Wednesday, for altogether different purposes, were VVS Laxman and Praveen Kumar. Having missed out on the World Cup after being part of the original squad, Praveen is in town to continue his rehabilitation.
Only last week Andrew Wallace, the same surgeon who has treated Tendulkar in the past and whom Praveen had consulted for an opinion that led to his exit from the World Cup team, operated upon Praveen's elbow in London.
Back after the surgery, the seamer spent some time on Wednesday chatting with Ashish Nehra, himself affected by back spasms for the past week or so. Nehra, incidentally bowled off a full run-up on the day.
Test batting star Laxman, also rehabilitating after issues with his back, has been in Bangalore for the past couple of days.
toi
The schedule has anyway given India enough rest between matches to recharge, not just physically but also mentally. For the past two days now, post the hard-fought tie against England, the Indians have been taking it easy in the team hotel, taking their mind off cricket and doing just enough with their bodies to keep them tuned.
On Wednesday, keeping in mind the afternoon match between England and Ireland, eight of the team members went through a light morning session at the KSCA B ground, while the seniors Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh stayed away along with Sreesanth and Suresh Raina. Dasher Virender Sehwag, away in Delhi to consult his personal doctor, hadn't rejoined the team until the evening.
With three more days to go for the match against Ireland (March 6), which will be followed by the one against the Netherlands in Delhi on March 9, the think-tank has obviously been busy.
Having found it tough to defend two totals of well above 300, questions are bound to have come up about the combinations to field in the remaining matches. Whether to stick to the four bowlers-seven batsmen theory, one that has served them for a long time, or if a fifth bowler at the expense of the seventh batsman would be the better option, would be the topics of discussion.
To chase or set targets in case they win the toss again is also likely to be debated. The standard practice is in day-night conditions a team winning the toss would bat first unless there are definite chances of dew. Well, accepted standards have to be set aside as the Indians have encountered some unusual problems, especially after having done so well with the bat.
A lot of work then for the think tank first, followed naturally by the implementation of those final plans. With two minnows up next, it is time to try out a few plans.
Praveen back after surgery
Along with the Indian World Cuppers, also present at the NCA on Wednesday, for altogether different purposes, were VVS Laxman and Praveen Kumar. Having missed out on the World Cup after being part of the original squad, Praveen is in town to continue his rehabilitation.
Only last week Andrew Wallace, the same surgeon who has treated Tendulkar in the past and whom Praveen had consulted for an opinion that led to his exit from the World Cup team, operated upon Praveen's elbow in London.
Back after the surgery, the seamer spent some time on Wednesday chatting with Ashish Nehra, himself affected by back spasms for the past week or so. Nehra, incidentally bowled off a full run-up on the day.
Test batting star Laxman, also rehabilitating after issues with his back, has been in Bangalore for the past couple of days.
toi
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