Players undergo complete net cycle in morning session

Kolkata, May 4 (UNI) In a departure from the regular routine, the Indian team today coupled up the morning fitness regime with extensive yoga sessions.

Yoga guru Sukhdev Kumar who stetflew in from Singapore on Wednesday evening, had a session at the team hotel last morning.

Sukhdev has worked with athletes in different sports, including the likes of Jyoti Randhawa and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

Today he was seen working extensively with the players. But the focus was mainly on stretching and other fitness regimes. The players did sit for a meditation session in batches, but that was for 15 minutes.

Sukhdev gave special attention to Sachin Tendulkar helping him with his stretching to see that the master blaster regained his complete fitness. Tendulkar, who hurt his ankle on the opening day of the conditioning camp, did not take part in fitness drills yesterday.

Sukhdev stressed on the relaxation factor and performed various methods of pranayam. The players were reminded about the importance of taking care of the mind along with the body.

It is understood that the players were impressed with his methods and felt it would help in improving their focus and concentration.

Yesterday, Sourav Ganguly requested him to show a few stretching and cooling down techniques after nets and Sukhdev happily obliged spending some good 15 minutes with him.

All the players actively took part in the nets. From Virender Sehwag to Robin Uthappa, Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh, all batted at the nets and enjoyed their stay at the centre pitch.

The players had quite a stint with left arm spinners as they are bound to face them in the Bangladesh.

Towards the end of the nets, Sachin Tendulkar walked in and knocked about the ball for about 20 minutes.

UNI