Trekking trip to blow away the blues

 If you thought the Indian team would have reacted to the disastrous start to the series against Australia – a 333-run defeat inside three days in Pune – by hitting the nets and trying to rectify its errors, wait! The captain-coach combination of Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble adopted an entirely different approach by making optimum use of the two extra days in exactly the opposite way.

While some of the members of the victorious Australian team headed back to the Maharashtra Cricket Association’s stadium for an optional training, India’s squad was involved in an informal team-bonding session at a resort in the Western Ghats, approximately 30 km from Pune.

The squad, accompanied by wives of players like Ajinkya Rahane and Umesh Yadav, relaxed at the resort from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon.

Not a surprise

This in fact shouldn’t come as a surprise given Kumble’s approach in such situations. After the Monkey-gate incident during the Sydney Test in 2008 when he was the captain, the former ace leg-spinner took the entire team to Bondi beach in the city for a team-bonding session.

His take being: “One extra practice session isn’t going to make you any better player. And you are not going to be any worse for not having one.”  

All the members of the squad also went on a trekking trip in the hilly area. Some of the social media regulars in the squad posted images on their Instagram and Twitter feeds.

“Everyday is a blessing and an opportunity. Be grateful and keep moving ahead,” tweeted Kohli after posting a picture of himself enjoying a serene moment.

The re-energised Indian team will now leave for Bengaluru on Tuesday afternoon, hoping the relaxation activity will help them put up a better display in the next match, which starts at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.