Run, India, Run

Sitting on the top of their group with two big wins in two big games, India opted for a focused fielding practice session on Wednesday at the WACA Ground in Perth, three days before their next match against UAE. There were no nets, and the session was topped off with a long game of football.

For about an hour and a half of intense drills, the emphasis was on sharpening reflexes and target practice. The players were split into groups of three after some stretching exercises. One of them was given quick, flat catches from tennis balls off a tennis racquet with a pair of fielders standing one behind the other. As the ball came close, the man in front would appear to take the catch but let it slip just past his cupped hands in the end. The one behind would then have to adjust to take it.

The second group had to take high as well as flat catches with white balls, and then fire throws back. Ravindra Jadeja showed off his powerful, accurate arm here while MS Dhoni effortlessly found the baseball mitt of the member of the support staff standing to receive the throws. Later, this group also had to cut off balls hit wide of them with dives and then recover to let go of them quickly.

The third group operated in a small circle with a low stump in between. One player would lob the ball towards another, who would sprint forward and try to hit the stump. The groups were moved around so that everyone had a chance at all three workouts.

The final drill split the players into two groups. Two balls were driven at the same time to a man from each group. Both had to run forward, pick them up and try to hit a common pair of stumps. Both groups had players waiting for their turn in two lines. This was the most competitive drill of the session, with regular debates about whose ball had found the stump first and loud celebrations in each group whenever a member hit.

In the end, it was time for football, an activity the India players enjoy a lot. There were mock dives and exaggerated goal celebrations, with much laughter as Virat Kohli took charge of the ball and started off on a dash to the opposing goal, only to lose steam as he neared it.