Anything to do with cricket generates sharply divided opinion in India. And so the issue of what India’s cricketers will do in their three months off has attracted diverse prescriptions from experts; some feel they should brush up batting and bowling skills, others say they should take a complete break from the game.
Here, for the record, is what they will be doing…
SACHIN TENDULKAR
The master blaster will take time off from the willow and spend a couple of weeks with his family, holidaying in the US. First likely date with cricket is the tsunami match, on June 20
ASHISH NEHRA
Resting for the moment. Plans to play a couple of matches in Delhi’s summer tournaments next month before leaving for England, where he’ll be training under his doctor’s instructions
ZAHEER KHAN
No cricket means no injuries for him. So he’s off to Mumbai with his father, then he’ll first try and speed up work on his plans to open a restaurant in Pune
VIRENDER SEHWAG
Will spend the summer months playing local tournaments for his employers
GAUTAM GAMBHIR
Had minor nose surgery and is resting at home. Was to play in Gursharan Singh benefit last week but had to give it a miss
MURLI KARTIK
In England, playing in Lancashire League
MOHAMMAD KAIF
Two-week break from cricket, may represent ONGC in local matches after that
IRFAN PATHAN
It’s back to the basics for the left-arm seamer. He’s currently at the Kiran More Cricket Academy in Vadodara, where he’s a visiting coach. Next, he’s headed towards the MRF pace foundation in Chennai
VVS LAXMAN
Finally gets to spend time at home with wife Sailaja. When not at home, can be found flexing his muscles at his Banjara Hills gym
HARBHAJAN SINGH
Resting in Jallandar, presumably not thinking about the ICC’s call to once again correct his bowling action. Likely to play the tsunami match
(Compiled by S Santhanam, GS Vivek, K Shriniwas Rao)