World Cup: Mike Horn rouses the Indian team

A huge crowd gathered around the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali to catch glimpse of the Indian players. The crowd waited outside the stadium as long as the players were inside.

Inside the stadium, the Indian team was taking it easy. Sunday was a day of optional practice and the players did everything but play serious cricket. They had long session of football and volleyball. In between, they held a few sessions of batting and bowling drills. “The nets will start tomorrow,” said team manager Ranjib Biswal, without elaborating.

Sachin Tendulkar had a knocking session while the teammates were involved in an intense round of football. Harbhajan Singh, who had gone to home town Jalandhar, joined the squad late.

Among those playing football and volleyball was Mike Horn, noted South African adventurer, whose services were hired by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the World Cup. Horn was with the team during the per-World Cup camp in Bangalore and it is learnt that Horn’s return was pre-planned.

Team and BCCI sources say that Horn was originally scheduled to join the squad for semifinal and final. He is expected to be involved in motivating the players. Meanwhile, no decision has been made on the line-up for the Wednesday’s all-important semifinal against Pakistan.

Munaf Patel, whose position in the XI is under scrutiny, was his agile self while Ashish Nehra was making a point that he has regained full fitness. He was running hard and fast while playing football. Equally fast was S Sreesanth but there are no indications yet that the Kerala pacer will get to play on Wednesday. A final decision is expected to be taken on Monday.