Langer goes for the Iyengar twist

This time, the soft-spoken Australian opener has turned to yoga to shake off a back injury and get back in shape for the Nagpur Test starting Tuesday.

Langer8217;s guru? Renowned Pune-based yoga expert B K S Iyengar, who counts Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid among his disciples.

8216;8216;It was something he was not able to work on with his team physio and fitness instructor. He reached my place at 8.30 yesterday morning and was here for 3-4 hours,8217;8217; says Iyengar. 8216;8216;He has a love for yoga.8217;8217;

8216;8216;Justin is very interested in yoga and believes in the relief it can provide,8217;8217; says Jonathan Rose, the Aussie team media manager. 8216;8216;He got in touch with Iyengar from Bangalore and took an appointment.8217;8217;

According to Iyengar, the lessons focussed on warding off dehydration, improving reflexes, use of feet while on the field and basic postures.

8216;8216;It was his first and personal visit. Probably, he will come back before leaving for Australia,8217;8217; says Iyengar, who believes that yoga must be made compulsory for cricketers. 8216;8216;A lot of them have been following it religiously. The problem is they do not find adequate time,8217;8217; he says, adding the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI had approached him recently to come out with a manual for Indian players.

8216;8216;They wanted a book on yoga only for cricketers by November 13, the day of the BCCI Platinum Jubilee celebrations. However, it would not be possible for me in such a short period, but the script will be ready by then,8217;8217; he says.