It’s back to business for Kapil

“I’m here to do my job and nothing else,” he responded when asked about his personal view that the players needed a break from international cricket during this period of suspicion all around.

“There was no mental strain that one could notice. All the boys are responded well and even the day’s weather was supportive for them,” said Kapil Dev.

Stressing the importance of both the aspects, the mental and the physical, he said both are equally vital for any game.

Kapil was all business from the word go. The boys were made to go through various exercises by their physio Andrew Leipus. Kapil was right by the side of the players, himself bending down to confirm that the players were positioning themselves correctly.

Elaborating on the camp schedule over ten days, Kapil said they will have only the morning session for some time. A little later they could go in for two sessions.

As he has always been voicing his views on the duration of the camp, he joked: “A three-month camp would have done a world of good to the players.”

The players were on the ground along with the coach Kapil at 7.30. After a brief workout, they had a short break.

Vinod Kambli — known to putting all efforts whether it is a match or a camp –had a bad fall attempting a catch. Luckily, he escaped with minor bruises on the elbows. Ajay Jadeja too jarred a thumb but a piece of ice was enough to get him back.

The seamers and the spinners bowled in tandem, while Mohammad Azharrudin, Sachin Tendulkar, Sadgoppan Ramesh, Shiv Sunder Das, Ajay Jadeja, Vinod Kambli among the others had a feel of their batting prowess.

LELE LEAST WORRIED: “The allegations are without proof,” is how BCCI secretary Jawant Lele summed up the match-fixing issue that looms large over players as they got down to business. The “so why does one has to worry,” statement which followed provided the perfect morale booster for a team so closely hounded by the issue.

The call for a break, in the shorter version of the game allowing a clean-up, seems to have no effect on Lele who adds “it’s our (BCCI) commitment that counts,” which he says is mandatory for the Board to keep in accordance with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“We have to follow the ICC calender and play tournaments. If there is anything else other than the ICC schedule, that could be skipped,” he added.

The final team for the Asia Cup will be announced on May 22.