Shastri, Whatmore thrilled with progress

The former India captain expressed his satisfaction at the way things have been progressing since he and Whatmore took charge of proceedings. “Obviously, we can keep learning and keep improving, for that process never stops, but I am quite happy with how things are shaping up.

“We are well on track to becoming everything that should be expected of the country’s national academy,” Shastri observed.

Whatmore said nothing delighted him more than the fact that the NCA had become a ‘destination’ for the players.

“It isn’t only when players are recuperating from injuries that they feel the need to come here,” the former Australian batsman remarked. “They want to come and work with us and to me, that is the greatest endorsement of what we are doing.”

The NCA is likely to host a preparatory camp for the Indian team from August 25 to 30. The players have a long season ahead with the BCCI’s inter-corporate tournament from September 1 to 8 being the prelude to the tri-series in Sri Lanka from September 8, where New Zealand are the third team.

Some of the players who will be a part of the team to Sri Lanka, scheduled to be picked on August 16, are expected to play the early stages of the Corporate tournament, ostensibly to get into the competitive scheme of things after an unusually long break from international cricket.

Currently, opener Murali Vijay and Delhi leg-spinner Chetanya Nanda are training at the academy.