India practice football ahead of 2nd ODI

KOCHI: The Indian and English cricket teams had the first feel of the conditions at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Sunday but the way two teams practiced were in sharp contrast.

While the Indians opted for a light workout- some stretching exercises, fielding drills and a game of football- the Englishmen who reached the ground almost half an hour ahead of schedule went through an intense net session.

With India down 0-1 in the ODI series, one thought the team would make better use of their practice session. But the Indian team chose to do everything else on the field apart from batting and bowling.

At quarter to noon, the Indian team members arrived at the ground clad in their red practice outfits. The shutterbugs had positioned themselves near the nets expecting the batsmen to have a knock there.

But in the hour and a half they were at the ground they didn't go anyway near the nets. Though a game of football has been a part of Indian team's practice regime for the last couple of years, some of the footballing skills of Indian players wouldn't have pleased the small crowd who had managed to sneak into the stadium.

"Have they come to play football or cricket? If I wanted to watch their football skills, I would have gone to watch IM Vijayan play," remarked a disgruntled fan.

On the other hand, the likes of Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen had a long knock at the nets. The bowlers Steven Finn, Jade Dernbach and Tim Bresnan ran in hard and bowled with purpose.

The contrast in approach was not just restricted to the nets. The Indian team on their return to the hotel took time out to enjoy a boat ride. While the Indian team was enjoying a trip on the backwaters, the England players assembled in a room in Taj Vivanta for a brainstorming session.

Sreesanth, Sandeep to bowl at nets

While the Indian team may have had a leisurely session at the ground on Sunday, they are going to have a more intense session on match eve.

And one man who is desperate to make an impression in the nets is S Sreesanth. Sreesanth, who met his friends in the Indian team on their arrival, has been asked to come and bowl at the nets by the Indian skipper MS Dhoni.

"I am disappointed that I am not playing the game in my hometown. But Dhoni has asked me to bowl at the nets on Monday. They can also see how fit I am. And I will be rooting for the Indians from the gallery on Tuesday," Sreesanth said.

Another Kerala pacer who would be keen to grab attention of Indian players would be young Sandeep Warrier. The lanky pacer had been asked by the BCCI to report at the nets of Indian team on Sunday morning.

Sandeep, who was in Sabarmati, dashed back to Kochi on Sunday morning only to be told that he will have to wait for a day to have a go at the batsmen as the Indian team didn't have net practice on Sunday. "I was tired. So I can take rest today and be really fresh to bowl at the Indian batsmen on Monday," said Sandeep.

Source: http://timesofindia.feedsportal.com/fy/8at2Etd0ip3hR3tR/story01.htm

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