All the principal batsmen got a reasonable hit at the quickish and reasonably bouncy practice facility at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and while it must be said that not all of them looked in total comfort, the feet began to move and the mind-body co-ordination improved with the passage of time.

Watched by no more than 50 fans and some 10 mediapersons in an open facility — welcome to Australia! — the Indians shook off the lingering aftereffects of their long haul from Mumbai to Melbourne, via Sydney, looking none the worse for wear and tear.

Refreshed after nearly a fortnight away from competitive action, Sachin Tendulkar was in his elements, though as is his wont, he didn't have a prolonged batting session, instead opting for a knockdown stint with trainer Greg King. Tendulkar the bowler was enthusiastic as ever, pads and all on, as he put first Virender Sehwag, then Mahendra Singh Dhoni through a stern test.

Rudra Pratap Singh hit excellent rhythm straightaway, while bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad kept an eagle eye on the two youngsters, Ishant Sharma and Pankaj Singh, constantly talking to them about the right lengths to bowl on these tracks.

Rahul Dravid, in the midst of a run slump by his own lofty standards, was the most industrious, coming back repeatedly for another batting stint and eventually finding no one at the 'nets' apart from himself and Sourav Ganguly. "Last ball. Like in a match -- two slips and a gully," Ganguly said as he ran in to bowl.

"I have been playing all along like in a match, Dada!" Dravid chuckled. Point taken, Rahul! Now, for a few of those 'I'm-in-for-bed-and-breakfast' knocks.