Emerging Players' prep camp kicks off

The Parthiv Patel-led 15-member group, which will take part in the August 6-19 Emerging Players’ tournament, went through its paces as former India player and coach Bharat Arun monitored the proceedings. Only medium pacer Jaidev Unadkat, who is assisting the Indian squad in the nets in Sri Lanka, was missing in action. The Saurashtra bowler is expected to join his team-mates on Friday.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who led the ‘A’ side on England tour, will function as a deputy to Parthiv in a squad consisting of five pacemen, two spinners and eight batsmen. During their stint at the NCA, the squad, besides the regular practice sessions, will play a 50-over match followed by match simulation exercises and a T20 game before concluding their preparations on July 28.

The annual event has played as a useful platform for the youngsters to stake their claim in the national side, Virat Kohli and S Badrinath being the beneficiaries of the last tournament. 
The tournament, spread over two weeks,  will have two competitions - Twenty20 and 50-overs -- involving New Zealand, South Africa, India and hosts Australia. Indians are the defending champions in the 50-over category.

Rehabilitation
Meanwhile, injured pacemen RP Singh and S Sreesanth, batsman Robin Uthappa and all-rounder Abhishek Nayar are continuing their rehabilation stint at the academy.

India schedule (all matches in Brisbane): T20: Aug 8: New Zealand vs South Africa;  Australian Institute of Sports vs India. Aug 9: India vs South Africa; AIS vs New Zealand. Aug 10: AIS vs South Africa; India vs New Zealand. Aug 12: 3rd Place Playoff; Final.
50-over: Aug 14: AIS vs New Zealand; India vs South Africa. Aug 16: AIS vs South Africa; India vs New Zealand. Aug 18: AIS vs India; New Zealand vs South Africa. Aug 20: Final; 3rd-place playoff.