Fresh legs bring new enthusiasm

Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma, reserve stumper Parthiv Patel, off-spinner R Aswhin and paceman R Vinay Kumar had their first training session with the squad ahead of the shorter version leg of India’s tour. India begin their limited-overs campaign with a T20 international in Manchester on August 31, followed by five one-day internationals spread over a fortnight.
With more young legs on the field, the customary game of football was played with more energy and fun while the fielding sessions were more serious. The pick-up-and-throw drills saw stumps being knocked out almost every time and long-catch practice stints were back in full swing though bowling coach Eric Simons hit more balls out of the park than in for the players to have a meaningful routine.

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, two players who have the experience of playing at this venue in the 1999 World Cup against South Africa, decided to skip the optional training session while Gautam Gambhir, still experiencing the effects of concussion sustained during the course of the final Test, too stayed back at the team hotel.

Incidentally, the match between India and South Africa is the only international tie hosted at this ground. India had lost that group match by six wickets.

Praveen Kumar did turn up for the practice and took part in all the routines, including football and bowling. The Uttar Pradesh medium-paceman had to sit out the fourth Test due to an ankle injury.