Camp begins amid two ailments and a wedding

Kolkata, May 2 (UNI) Team India's five-day conditioning camp for Bangladesh had an inauspicious beginning today with Sachin Tendulkar injuring his right ankle and V V S Laxman not reporting due to gastroenteritis.

Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer has apparently hurt his left hand during batting at the nets. But no injury has been reported.

Little Master Sachin Tendulkar injured his right ankle as he ducked a bouncer from S Sreeshanth that landed on awkwardly on his haunches injuring his right ankle.

Team India's administrative manager Surinder Bhave later told reporters that ''there is slight swelling on his right ankle. John Gloster is applying ice to the swelling and we will take it up tomorrow after watching the progress tonight.'' Asked if the injury was serious, he said, ''as of now it does not look so. The X-ray has also not been done.'' On silken Hyderabadi batsman V V S Laxman, who was inconspicuous by his absence, 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.'' Meanwhile rookie keeper Dinesh Kaarthik was also absent as he is getting married back home. Asked when he will arrive at the camp, Bhave said, ''Not before six as he has a final ceremony in home on May five.'' Expressing his happiness at the way things have gone on the first day of the camp, Bhave said, ''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 the heat was taking its toll on the players, with Vijaykumar Yo Mahesh reportedly having vomitted due to dehydration, Bhave said, ''I have no reports on any vomitting. 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 repeatedly seen applying ice to his left hand after being struck by a Munaf Patel delivery but later went back to bat again.

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