‘We could hear sounds of wild animals’

‘‘It was almost in the forest where we even thought there were wild animals around. The idea was to get everyone thinking and it was really interesting,’’ said skipper Rahul Dravid.

At the Pegasus Centre, where mobile networks don’t work and leisure means getting a night’s sleep in tents that lack basic amenities, the cricketers experimented with the ‘Outward Bound Learning Programme’, a structural course for corporates that included mental and physical challenges.

The aim: to carve the cricketers into smart, tough and like-minded individuals, enabling them to think and act better.

‘‘It was a chance to get in some physical activity, some unusual training drills that also gave us the advantage to be on our own,’’ Dravid said.

In fact, after the camp that was held under wraps in Doddaballapur, it appeared as if the players were ready to nosedive into the world of yoga, teki and meditation which they said was ‘‘an experience in its own’’.

Said Dravid: ‘‘There wasn’t any rock-climbing or river-rafting. Let’s be realistic, we weren’t doing something that could change us overnight. It just gave us a chance to remain on our own, away from everything else.’’

The programme also had obstacle courses like rappelling and water activities aimed at increasing the tolerance levels of every player.

‘‘It was just another way of pushing ourselves to the limit and enjoying the experience,’’ Dravid said.

Back after the ‘‘adventure’’, the team will now get back to their usual practice sessions at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) from Sunday morning.

Less nets, more innovation

BANGALORE: If Team India’s plans for its cricket skills camp starting on August 6, ahead of the Sri Lanka tri-series, is an indication, the message is this: actual net sessions are out till beginning or during a series.

Back after the three-day ‘adventure’ camp, the team will spend the next four days concentrating on their fitness. Then comes the cricket camp, which will involve ‘‘match-simulated set-ups apart from daily routine of practicing yoga and meditation’’.

According to skipper Rahul Dravid, ‘‘Fitness exercise will be a part of the time-table, too. We will try and do more of match-based practice so that it keeps us in good touch.’’

Dravid added: ‘‘We will anyway get four days in Sri Lanka, ahead of the series. We can have our net sessions there. We are not abolishing anything but just trying to do things a little differently.’’

Asked how this would help cricketers, Dravid said: ‘‘We are just trying new things and we believe that it will be an experience. One session of yoga cannot help us change the world. You can go and get a Bcom degree but can you tell me how it will directly help you get better in what you want to do? You never know what new things bring along.”

–K SHRINIWAS RAO