Finally, Indians relax playing for charity

It8217;s all about the ambience 8212; about those figure-conscious blondes in bikinis...

It8217;s all about the ambience 8212; about those figure-conscious blondes in bikinis, about the sheer numbers looking for a nice suntan lying on the white sand 8212; not to forget the boys eager to rub on the sun block lotions as well 8212; and the sex education graffiti on the wall at the background that makes Bondi beach so popular. It is also one of the best beaches in the world.

With the agitated Team India looking for some relaxation, what better way was there to be in Sydney and literally tune into Baywatch!

So the Indians went straight to meet the lifeguards there 8212; and before eyebrows are raised one needs to clarify that they were there to play a round of beach volleyball with a bunch of guys for charity.

A mock warm-up game among the team-members preceded the big one 8212; Team India vs Bond Beach Lifeguards 8212; today morning.

The match was filmed and will be used in a documentary relating to the lifeguards. The veterans gave the stage today to the young legs in the team for most part and Team India won in a match that went down to the wire. The score 8212; 10-9 in favour of the visitors. Maybe a reflection of the spirit in the team now where they are no longer ready to give in.

The sea seemed a bit choppy and not too many cricketers wanted to risk a swim. But Mahendra Singh Dhoni was game and soon RP Singh joined him.

They splashed around 8212; not far from a bevy of beauties wanting to join them 8212; but soon they cut short their session and joined the rest of the team at 8216;Nicks8217; 8212; a popular food bar for lunch.

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8220;Yesterday the whole team stayed in the hotel and a lot of things were happening, they wanted some change. It is important for them to relax, so that we can get our focus back,8221; said Lalchand Rajput.

And the time spent on the beach seemed to have worked. The smiles were back again, But the seething anger among the Indian players remain just below the surface 8212; the anger against Ricky Ponting and some other the Australian players for the way they conducted themselves during and after the second Test. And their resolve was evident every time the Harbhajan issue cropped up. Harbhajan was at the beach too, serving well for his side in the game and defending successfully too.

India are now looked upon as heroes fighting injustice. Everyone here has been congratulating the players, the support staff, and even the media personnel here for coming out with such a strong stance. People from all walks of life expressed a lot of emotions for the team. A whopping 83 per cent of the local people here replied 8216;yes8217; to the question if Ricky Ponting is a bad ambassador to the game while 79 per cent admitted that Australia showed bad sportsmanship during the Sydney Test.

And among all the talk and controversy and speculations, little cricket in being played. Wonder what the next tourist destination would be for Team India.