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Camp for Indian players from today

Principal Correspondent

The camp will conclude on October 4
Focus will be on fitness and fielding on the opening day

Bangalore: A lush outfield, a covered centre-pitch and with sprinklers on overdrive, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium presented a picture of nervous anticipation here on Sunday in the run-up to the first Test between India and Australia from October 9.

But before the much-awaited match, it is time for the Indian players to limber up in a camp that will commence here on Monday and the cricketers arrived in batches from Vadodara after the Irani Cup match concluded with a day to spare. On Sunday, the ground-staff were asked to keep the venue ready for an impromptu fielding drill but later the plan was shelved and the camp will gather steam from Monday.

Tendulkar arrives

Skipper Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and R.P. Singh reached the city in the morning along with coach Gary Kirtsen, bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and other support staff while Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, M.S. Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Mohammad Kaif arrived late in the evening.

More players are expected to arrive in time for the 10.30 a.m. start on Monday. The camp will conclude on October 4 and the players will again reassemble on October 6 prior to the first Test.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association will provide the camp’s infrastructure and 15 State players inclusive of fielders and net-bowlers will be earmarked for assisting the Indian players.

It is reliably learnt that Prasad has requested for junior players in the under-19 and under-21 age-group to train with Kumble’s men. The schedule will be a mix of nets, fielding drills and match-simulation exercises.

On the opening day, the accent will be on fitness and fielding while nets and open-wicket practice will take precedence in the later days. In the lead up to the Test, the KSCA will also add two super soppers to the existing two and seven more rollers will also be added to the existing infrastructure.

Security concerns

Meanwhile, the KSCA is also busy addressing security concerns in the wake of the city police commissioner Shankar Bidari insisting on the association getting a license to host the Test prior to seeking police protection.

KSCA officials aver that the process to get license and security-cover is on the fast-track and as part of the measures the deputy commissioner of police (central zone) Ramesh inspected the venue on Sunday afternoon. Accompanied by KSCA secretary Brijesh Patel, Mr. Ramesh spent nearly an hour inspecting the stadium and he and the police top-brass have recommended the setting up of close-circuit television cameras at the gates and inside the stands to monitor the crowd during the match.

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