Long form, short preparation

Hi folks,

Our first game of the season starts on Monday, when we take on Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited from Pakistan for the Mohammad Nissar Trophy in Delhi. We've spent the last couple of weeks preparing for this match, keeping in mind the demands of a first-class game. The first phase of our camp focused on the physical aspect, and we pushed ourselves a lot harder in the training sessions. Not that the skills were ignored, but often we would hit the nets with slightly tired limbs. The idea is to get into top physical condition to ensure that we last the rigours of a four-day match.

Barring Gautam [Gambhir], Viru [Virender Sehwag] and Ishant [Sharma], none of us has played the longer version since the last game of last season. We've been involved in active cricket, but it has only been in the shorter version of the game where the physical demand is very different. Shorter versions require a more dynamic approach, which is based on speed, while the longer version requires the endurance to last 90 overs a day, for four to five days. Batting in the longer version requires more adjustment in the head, but bowlers have their job cut out. Unlike bowling four and 10 overs in Twenty20s and ODIs respectively, they're in for a long haul. They must send down at least 15 to 20 overs a day, and in different and longer spells.

We faced a slight hiccup in our preparation as rain decided to play spoilsport.The rain came down in the night, and unfortunately, it blew away the covers, leaving the practice wickets completely drenched. We couldn't get a hit for a couple of days, and were reduced to focusing on the physical aspect once again.

A friend of mine had come down from England and come to the ground with me to see our training session. He absolutely loved our new stadium in Delhi, but was a little disappointed to see that we didn't get a hit in the nets. He asked me if I was frustrated for not getting an opportunity to bat. Of course I was, and I promptly told him so. He couldn’t believe we didn't have indoor facilities. Delhi, after all, is where one the most affluent cricket boards in the country is located, and we are the Ranji champions. I told him that there were plans to provide for a state-of-the-art indoor facility, but we both knew that these plans were at least a decade too late.

This reminded me of the time I spent recuperating after a knee surgery in 2003. I was almost certain I'd get called up for the Indian camp prior to the home series against New Zealand. I hadn't batted for a few months following the surgery and desperately needed to start batting. It was going to be the biggest chance of my life. But it was raining cats and dogs in Delhi, and there wasn't even a single wicket available for practice. I was desperate, but couldn't do anything about it. I ended up taking a bowler friend of mine to a nearby school where I stood in the rain and batted while we found some shade for him. I could only manage a few throw-downs everyday, definitely not the ideal preparation for attending the national camp. That was then, but nothing seems to have changed since.

Thank God the rain has stayed away for the last couple of days, and we're getting enough batting and bowling practice in the nets. Hopefully it'll be enough to take us through the first game of the season.

Wish us luck.