Sehwag takes a hit; team says no worries

The Indian team hit the grounds for a practice session ahead of their Group ‘A’ second tie versus England after a day’s rest that would have helped them get over Wednesday’s opening-game blues against Afghan­istan.

As MS Dhoni and company went through an intense fielding and ‘nets’ sessions, all eyes were obviously on the struggling trio of Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Zaheer has had poor outings in the shortest format since the game against New Zealand in Chennai adding to India’s bowling woes.

The left-arm paceman appeared determined to set things right as he bowled with intent and purpose for a considerable length of time under humid conditions even as his new-ball partner Irfan Pathan was beating the hell out of the leather as fielding coach Trevor Penny sent down throw downs to the left-hander.

Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Dhoni followed the suit in the same fashion, threatening roofs at the P Sara Oval. It was, however, Manoj Tiwary who produced the shot of the day. The Bengal right-hander nonchalantly lifted the ball over the bowler’s head that sailed high and long before shattering the glass cover of an enclosure on the second tier, perhaps an ideal way of sending a strong message to the team’s think tank of his abilities.

There was also a mini-scare when Sehwag was struck on his right thumb by local bowler Sachin Peres. The paceman’s full length ball jumped up unexpectedly to crash into Sehwag’s right hand and the opener left the nets immediately writhing in pain. He did come back to face a few throw-downs after a treatment, but decided to pack off after a few balls. The Indian camp, however, maintained that he was ‘absolutely fine.’

Though it was a mandatory session only 13 of the 15-man squad made it to the venue as Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina were said to be indisposed. Yuvraj was nursing a sore throat while Raina was down with an upset stomach.