Slipping through the safety net

But when the three players and spouse slipped out without informing everyone, it became clear that the team was not even keeping their watchdogs in the loop.

When the VIPs could not be found, the Pakistani police had to be contacted, the panic buttons were pressed and the players tracked down to Muslim Town, a posh area near Gaddafi Stadium. They were given a tongue-lashing for being so lax about their security though the team management would not comment on the affair.

The Indian security experts, who are not allowed to carry arms, are normally informed if any players want to move out of the hotel so that protection can be arranged. They also have to file a daily report to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Players, however, are not taking their own security that seriously. After the Multan Test, Lakshmipathy Balaji sauntered out to buy movie CDs without telling anyone. Similarly, senior players like Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly have also slipped out for food and shopping in the past, though at least they had to take a couple of security officers with them.

The Indian security team, itself, oscillates between boredom and helplessness. One of them even did some shopping himself while another has started following the team’s superstitions.