Sachin wields his willow during indoor session

Kolkata, May 3 (UNI) Even as rain robbed Team India's batting at the nets at Eden Gardens, Sachin Tendulkar today rejoined the practice session for a few hits on the second day of the cricket conditioning camp here at the indoor facilities.

''He continues to get ice treatment. Physio John Gloster says he is improving,'' Indian team's administrative manager Surendra Bhave said.

Bhave said, ''He is walking freely. He doesn't have much of a swelling. The pain is also not there.'' Tendulkar, who skipped the morning session, wielded his willow for about 15 minutes at the indoor gymnasium. The Indian team spent an hour in the indoor facility.

Later, when the team resumed practice outdoors at the Eden Gardens once the ground condition improved, Tendulkar was present throughout though he did not take part in the activities.

Lady luck seemed to be unfavourably disposed towards Sachin Tendulkar whose ankle injury forced him to remain indoors during the teams's morning practice session on the second day of the conditioning camp today.

Sachin has been going through a lean phase and had a world cup he would like to forget in a hurry. If this was not enough, BCCI decided to 'rest' him from the ODIs against Bangladesh.

Tendulkar sprained his right ankle on the opening day of the camp yesterday when he ducked underneath a bouncer from S Sreesanth and awkwardly sat on his haunches.

He was in visible pain and limped to the dressing room. Even while getting into the team bus there was an ice-pack round his ankle. He was given ice treatment throughout the night and even this morning and stayed put in the hotel while the team headed for the Eden Gardens.

UNI