By IANS
Kolkata : The five-day conditioning camp of Team India to warm up for the Bangladesh tour began on an unwelcome note here Wednesday with Sachin Tendulkar injuring his right ankle and V.V.S Laxman not turning up due to gastroenteritis.
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar sustained injury in his right ankle during practice session at the Eden Gardens. He got hurt while trying to negotiate a delivery from pacer S. Sreesanth.
The injury might not be too serious but Tendulkar was seen limping back to the dressing room for medical assistance at around 4 p.m.
Team India’s administrative manager Surinder Bhave said: “There is slight swelling on his right ankle. John Gloster was applying ice to the swelling and we will take it up Thursday after watching the progress tonight.”
Asked if the injury was serious, he said: “As of now it does not look so. No X-ray has been done.”
On Laxman, Bhave said: “Laxman has reported to the board that he was suffering from gastroenteritis. He will report about his progress and on his recovery. But we have no clarity on that date.”
Wasim Jaffer too apparently hurt his left hand during batting at the nets. But no injury has been reported.
Rookie keeper Dinesh Kaarthik was also absent as he was getting married in Mumbai. Bhave said he is not expected before May 6.
Despite the injuries and absences, the manager was upbeat about Day One of the camp. “The intensity was exciting. The players were focussed and wanted to give their best. It was great to see the way the camp advanced.”
On whether heat was taking its toll, with Vijaykumar Yomahesh reportedly having vomited due to dehydration, Bhave said: “I have no reports on any vomiting. But this is the climate the players are going to get in Bangladesh and so they are getting ready for it.
“Hydration is a big part of a player’s daily routine and we are taking care of it. The fitness regime and exercises they are doing are mostly functional and meant to tone them up for the tour ahead,” he said.
Wasim Jaffer was also seen applying ice to his left hand after being struck by a Munaf Patel delivery. He put his left hand in the ice box repeatedly, but later went back to bat again.
Earlier, the nets began at 3.00 p.m. and the first to strike the ball were the pair of Virender Sehwag and Robin Uthappa. Yuvraj and Mongia followed. Then it was the turn of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, after which Sourav Ganguly came to the nets.
Bhave said the best part was batting at the main pitch. “The players enjoyed it and the bowlers enjoyed bowling at the centre.”
In the first session at the Eden Gardens, the players went through a fielding and fitness session for 75 minutes before packing off in sizzling heat. Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh led the boys through the fielding and bowling practice.
The cricketers, after their World Cup debacle in the West Indies, looked fresh and the gloom of their dismal performance in the tournament did not reflect in their body language