The intensity in the preparations is all too palpable. R. Ashwin, the No. 1 all-rounder in the ICC rankings, having animated discussions with his Tamil Nadu teammates on the eve of the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day tournament to be held at three different venues here was a clear hint of not just the seriousness of the players but also the added value by the presence of leading internationals.
It is obvious that the Tamil Nadu team members could not have asked for a more inspirational figure than Ashwin sharing a few thoughts in the art of bowling and batting too. He spend some time at the nets with the bat, sending the message that he will be the player to watch out here.
The way he took the initiative to exchange views with former India pace bowler L. Balaji and gave tips to someone like Antony Das, both in bowling and batting, was a sight to behold for any coach when a captain is keen to take the lead in every aspect of the game.
And at another ground, Yuvraj Singh (captain of Punjab team) and Harbhajan Singh trained with their teammates, throwing up exciting possibilities in the next few days as the event unfolds.
Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit had an extended catching practice session with his team. “Yes, the process is on for us to regain the past glory and this tournament is an extension of our passion to be right there — at the top,” said a smiling Pandit.
The former India stumper agreed that the timing of this edition of Vijay Hazare Trophy ahead of the 2016 T20 World Cup in India is crucial.
“Every national event before an international assignment is always eagerly awaited by the players who are aspiring for a National berth. This time it should ensure quality competition,” said Pandit. “It is really difficult to say who will be the favourite as any team can beat anyone on the given day,” he added.
With the BCCI senior National selection committee chairman Sandeep Patil and the South Zone representative M.S.K. Prasad arriving to watch the Hyderabad-leg matches, the players could not have asked for more.
“When a National team is picked, no one sees or thinks about a region. All performances will be watched closely,” remarked Prasad.
It is obvious that the Tamil Nadu team members could not have asked for a more inspirational figure than Ashwin sharing a few thoughts in the art of bowling and batting too. He spend some time at the nets with the bat, sending the message that he will be the player to watch out here.
The way he took the initiative to exchange views with former India pace bowler L. Balaji and gave tips to someone like Antony Das, both in bowling and batting, was a sight to behold for any coach when a captain is keen to take the lead in every aspect of the game.
And at another ground, Yuvraj Singh (captain of Punjab team) and Harbhajan Singh trained with their teammates, throwing up exciting possibilities in the next few days as the event unfolds.
Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit had an extended catching practice session with his team. “Yes, the process is on for us to regain the past glory and this tournament is an extension of our passion to be right there — at the top,” said a smiling Pandit.
The former India stumper agreed that the timing of this edition of Vijay Hazare Trophy ahead of the 2016 T20 World Cup in India is crucial.
“Every national event before an international assignment is always eagerly awaited by the players who are aspiring for a National berth. This time it should ensure quality competition,” said Pandit. “It is really difficult to say who will be the favourite as any team can beat anyone on the given day,” he added.
With the BCCI senior National selection committee chairman Sandeep Patil and the South Zone representative M.S.K. Prasad arriving to watch the Hyderabad-leg matches, the players could not have asked for more.
“When a National team is picked, no one sees or thinks about a region. All performances will be watched closely,” remarked Prasad.
