India vs Bangladesh: T20 World Cup 2014
After a well-deserved two-day rest, the Indian team on Wednesday returned to the nets to prepare for their next World Twenty20 game against Bangladesh on Friday.
This was the first time the players had put on their training jersey since India's Supreme Court made some strong observations against BCCI president N. Srinivasan in an IPL betting-fixing case on Tuesday. A crucial hearing is scheduled in the apex court on Thursday, a day before Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team clashes with hosts Bangladesh. It remains to be seen what effect the Supreme Court ruling - if it is passed on Thursday - would eventually have on the players.
On Wednesday, at least, the players didn't look affected by the happenings in India; their body language or mood was no different from their several previous practice sessions.
They didn't seem perturbed either while playing a game of football or during the net session that followed. It was, in fact, business as usual for the players as masseur Ramesh Mane, popularly known as 'Mane Kaka', played Bollywood songs loudly, something he has been doing for years now.
The affable masseur also carries a tea pot and a variety of tea leaves to cater to the different tastes of the players in the team. The Indian players are not allowed to speak to the media, besides the routine press conferences. Even at the pressers, reporters are told to ask only tournament-related questions.
The players looked relaxed as they returned to the hotel after the three-hour practice session on Wednesday. Some of them had their headphones on while the others chatted with each other as they headed to their rooms. India have had a great start to the tournament. They won both their matches against Pakistan and the West Indies with ease. Except forYuvraj Singh, and to a lesser extent Shikhar Dhawan, everyone has looked in form and have made meaningful contributions to the team's cause. Yuvraj has not been his usual self while fielding too, and has dropped catches.
He has so far scored 11 runs in the two games, 10 of which came in the second match against the West Indies. However, from the indications during Wednesday's net session, the talented left-hander might be given another opportunity, if not more than one, to regain form.
Ajinkya Rahane hasn't been tried as yet and he could get into the fray if Yuvraj fails once more. On Wednesday, Yuvraj batted in the second batch, after the two openers, and spent about 20 minutes polishing his strokes. This gives a fair indication that the Punjab batsman would continue to play. Also, the team would not like to disturb the winning combination.
To be fair to Yuvraj, he has won many matches for India and made crucial contributions when the team won the 2011 World Cup in India. He won the Man of the Tournament award. Navjot Singh Sidhu, for instance, feels that Yuvraj's key to success is his fitness. "He's a great player in the shorter version. If he gets his fitness back, he'll always be great."
Read more at: India vs Bangladesh, World T20: Yuvraj may get another chance : Cricket, News - India Today
After a well-deserved two-day rest, the Indian team on Wednesday returned to the nets to prepare for their next World Twenty20 game against Bangladesh on Friday.
This was the first time the players had put on their training jersey since India's Supreme Court made some strong observations against BCCI president N. Srinivasan in an IPL betting-fixing case on Tuesday. A crucial hearing is scheduled in the apex court on Thursday, a day before Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team clashes with hosts Bangladesh. It remains to be seen what effect the Supreme Court ruling - if it is passed on Thursday - would eventually have on the players.
On Wednesday, at least, the players didn't look affected by the happenings in India; their body language or mood was no different from their several previous practice sessions.
They didn't seem perturbed either while playing a game of football or during the net session that followed. It was, in fact, business as usual for the players as masseur Ramesh Mane, popularly known as 'Mane Kaka', played Bollywood songs loudly, something he has been doing for years now.
The affable masseur also carries a tea pot and a variety of tea leaves to cater to the different tastes of the players in the team. The Indian players are not allowed to speak to the media, besides the routine press conferences. Even at the pressers, reporters are told to ask only tournament-related questions.
The players looked relaxed as they returned to the hotel after the three-hour practice session on Wednesday. Some of them had their headphones on while the others chatted with each other as they headed to their rooms. India have had a great start to the tournament. They won both their matches against Pakistan and the West Indies with ease. Except forYuvraj Singh, and to a lesser extent Shikhar Dhawan, everyone has looked in form and have made meaningful contributions to the team's cause. Yuvraj has not been his usual self while fielding too, and has dropped catches.
He has so far scored 11 runs in the two games, 10 of which came in the second match against the West Indies. However, from the indications during Wednesday's net session, the talented left-hander might be given another opportunity, if not more than one, to regain form.
Ajinkya Rahane hasn't been tried as yet and he could get into the fray if Yuvraj fails once more. On Wednesday, Yuvraj batted in the second batch, after the two openers, and spent about 20 minutes polishing his strokes. This gives a fair indication that the Punjab batsman would continue to play. Also, the team would not like to disturb the winning combination.
To be fair to Yuvraj, he has won many matches for India and made crucial contributions when the team won the 2011 World Cup in India. He won the Man of the Tournament award. Navjot Singh Sidhu, for instance, feels that Yuvraj's key to success is his fitness. "He's a great player in the shorter version. If he gets his fitness back, he'll always be great."
Read more at: India vs Bangladesh, World T20: Yuvraj may get another chance : Cricket, News - India Today
