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Indian teams gearing up in all seriousness

Raakesh Natraj

Centurion: Anil Kumble rolls and unrolls the grip on his willow like a scrapper would his sleeves, as he waits for the press contingent to turn up. “This is what happens when you don't play for a few months,” he says, wringing his hands from the fielding drill he just completed at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.

“I have been getting into the play-mode for the Champions League for the last month or so. The ball came out well from the hand,” he says.

The answers are specific and the tone, fairly grave. The only time he breaks into a smile is when a journalist compliments him on his fitness and asks if he is contemplating a comeback.

The seriousness is understandable, after the collective failure of the IPL teams in the first edition of the trophy. Deccan Chargers did not qualify for the League stage while Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils did not proceed from it. The mood then, around the IPL teams this time, is all business-like.

In some cases, it is even high-strung. Harbhajan Singh snaps back when someone asks his reactions to people back home pointing accusing fingers in his direction, over his recent slump. “I will cut off those fingers,” he says.

The other teams, not having sprung from a $4.1 billion enterprise, have fairly loosened up. Neil McKenzie, one of the few recognisable names in the Highveldt Lions squad, refuses to play up the local advantage card, or the fact that the rest of the Lions' squad is somewhat anonymous.

“With international players in each team and the video analysts around, I don't think it will be a factor.” His thoughts on the tournament opener?

“We will watch for that youngster who has come through their (Mumbai Indians) ranks. That eighteen-year-old. Sachin,” he says.

A stint with IPL 4 perhaps? “Let us not be naive about it. There is a lot of money there. I am 34 and am just looking to enjoy the three-four years I have. I am already playing with Hampshire. Let's see how it works out.”

The pragmatism about Twenty20 cricket is something that he shares with Ramnaresh Sarwan, the Guyana skipper.

Sarwan refuses to indulge in tedious moralisation when asked about cricketers being exposed to the format too early in their careers. “It would be nice if they start out with Test cricket. But look, this (T20) is what is in front of us right now” he says.

Perspective perhaps, is something that comes with distance.

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