Indian batsmen are facing the heat after suffering a humiliating defeat in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in the cool confines of Dharamsala on Sunday. The failure of India's top batsmen to tackle the seaming conditions have forced the team management to consider hosting a week-long training camp for the Test squad ahead of the South Africa tour.
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While there has not been any official missive in this regard, Sportstar has learnt from reliable sources that the Indian team management could call the members of Indian Test squad for a preparatory camp at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA)’s academy.
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Well-placed sources at the HPCA indicated that India’s chief coach Ravi Shastri had a discussion with HPCA academy director Vikram Rathour regarding the camp. “The talks are on. There could be a camp a week before India departs for South Africa,” an HPCA official told Sportstar on Monday.
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But the association is yet to get an official word from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “The players, who are not part of the ODI series, are expected to gather here next week. We are waiting for details,” the official said.
However, when contacted by this publication, Rathour — a former India cricketer and an erstwhile national selector — denied having any information in this regard.
During India’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Kolkata, BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary had told reporters that a camp would be organised for the players before they leave for South Africa. Whether the camp would be held in the picturesque Himachal town will also depend on how the weather remains in the next few days.
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