Indian team start tune-up for Bangla trip

KOLKATA: India's Bangladesh tour preparations for the coming cricket tour of Bangladesh got off the ground with a light fielding and fitness regime at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.

Under the watchful eyes of physical trainer Gregory Allen King, the Indian team members went through their paces for one and a half hours under the morning sky, in the presence of hordes of mediapersons.

However, some of the innovative drills introduced during former coach Greg Chappell's tenure using tyres, ladders and nets, were not seen during the session, the first under the new think-tank headed by cricket manager Ravi Shastri.

The players began with a double lap of the park and were then split up into three groups for fielding practice with bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh conducting the show alongside King.

Promising medium pacer V Yo Mahesh, who had been asked by the Board to join the camp, looked a bit indisposed initially but recovered soon enough to take part in the session.

Meanwhile, team sourcs said VVS Laxman had not turned up in the city yet, but could be expected any time.

Wicket keeper batsman Dinesh Kaarthick, who is slated to tie the nuptial knot on Wednesday, is expected to join the camp on the concluding day on May 6. The Indians are scheduled to leave for the 23-day tour of Bangladesh the next day.