A feeling of deja vu at the MRF Pace Foundation

There was a distinct feeling of deja vu at the MRF Pace Foundation on Thursday. The Indian team was back at the nets, the familar figure of Anshuman Gaekwad was directing operations, the media was there in full strength and a fair sprinkling of onlookers, the majority of them students, were around to cheer their favourites. `Look, there's Robin Singh' said one. `Happy birthday, Robin' chimed another. He was bang on target. It was the home town favourite's 37th birthday. Of course the biggest cheers were reserved for Sachin Tendulkar. The 27-year-old former Indian captain looked fit, cheerful and relaxed. After a longish stint at the nets, he continued to practice his shots on the ground. Well, he has always been a perfectionist.

Twenty of the 23 probables selected for the ICC knock out tournament to be played at Nairobi from October 3 to 15 were present on the first day of the conditioning camp which is to conclude on September 23. The three players missing were the captain Sourav Ganguly, the vice captain Rahul Dravid and senior player Anil Kumble. All three are busy rounding off their county engagements in England but they are expected to join the camp on September 18. The team is to be selected on September 20.

The camp is being held at the MRF Pace Foundation as the ground at the MAC stadium is getting a facelift. It is to be the venue of both a Test match and a one day international later in the season. But there could not have been any complaints as the facilities at the MRF Pace Foundation are second to none. Moreover, the probables had the added advantage of batting against the keen bunch of lads from the Pace Foundation. The fast bowling prospects had just had the benefit of a long workout with Dennis Lillee, who left last night after completing one of his routine visits.