On the 15th of August, it's not really surprising the Indian players have freedom on their minds. So what if it is of another kind? So what if they are feeling enslaved just by the game of cricket while their masters are only the short-sighted BCCI?
Just two days after scoring a historic Test series victory over England, you can't expect anything else anyway. One look at their faces, and you know they would rather have been here in heavenly Scotland on a holiday. It was a perfect time to feel free and let their minds, bodies and souls soar.
Who would want to play cricket when the sun is fierce but the cool breeze is even more intoxicating? When the white clouds are so alluring and the backdrop straight out of a picture postcard? "It will be nice if this gets washed out," remarked a couple of senior players to the TOI . "We would love a break."
Captain Rahul Dravid later conceded at the press conference they were all mentally, physically and emotionally drained. He would, however, be glad the One-day grind begins here on Thursday, and that too against Scotland: an opposition that may not stretch him as a captain and his players as a team.
He has even indicated he will seriously look at the possibility of resting a couple of players for the one-off game against Scotland. He confirmed his own availability but refused to divulge the status of others.
According to TOI's sources, however, Zaheer Khan will be the only player from among those who featured in the three Tests to be rested. And it has nothing to do with his alleged differences with the captain.
Interestingly, Scotland have called up all their players who are regulars on the English county circuit for the match against India. They are expected to be at full strength, with batsman Navdeep Poonia, all-rounder Gavin Hamilton, bowlers John Blain and Dewald Nel expected to make up more than the numbers.
Scotland's captain Ryan Watson, an attacking batsman with Zimbabwean roots, might be an interesting player to watch. India, however, are not overly concerned about him or anybody else, at least not on the eve of the match.
They have enough experience and depth in their ranks to overcome whatever challenge Scotland can muster. The arrival of One-day specialists Munaf Patel, Robin Uthappa, Piyush Chawla, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar has only boosted them.
If nothing, it will allow Dravid to look beyond his regulars and give a chance to those who didn't figure in the Tests. If that doesn't excite Ramesh Powar and Gautam Gambhir (Yuvraj Singh is, of course, a One-day specialist), nothing else will.
The Indian team, however, will be looking at the bigger picture. It is scheduled to play seven One-dayers in England and quite a few after that. It will have to quickly regroup, and also prepare for the backlash from a beaten and wounded England.
In less than a week's time, the roller-coaster ride will begin, starting from Northampton and winding through the entire length and breadth of England before finishing in London. They might want to enjoy Scotland while they can.
Just two days after scoring a historic Test series victory over England, you can't expect anything else anyway. One look at their faces, and you know they would rather have been here in heavenly Scotland on a holiday. It was a perfect time to feel free and let their minds, bodies and souls soar.
Who would want to play cricket when the sun is fierce but the cool breeze is even more intoxicating? When the white clouds are so alluring and the backdrop straight out of a picture postcard? "It will be nice if this gets washed out," remarked a couple of senior players to the TOI . "We would love a break."
Captain Rahul Dravid later conceded at the press conference they were all mentally, physically and emotionally drained. He would, however, be glad the One-day grind begins here on Thursday, and that too against Scotland: an opposition that may not stretch him as a captain and his players as a team.
He has even indicated he will seriously look at the possibility of resting a couple of players for the one-off game against Scotland. He confirmed his own availability but refused to divulge the status of others.
According to TOI's sources, however, Zaheer Khan will be the only player from among those who featured in the three Tests to be rested. And it has nothing to do with his alleged differences with the captain.
Interestingly, Scotland have called up all their players who are regulars on the English county circuit for the match against India. They are expected to be at full strength, with batsman Navdeep Poonia, all-rounder Gavin Hamilton, bowlers John Blain and Dewald Nel expected to make up more than the numbers.
Scotland's captain Ryan Watson, an attacking batsman with Zimbabwean roots, might be an interesting player to watch. India, however, are not overly concerned about him or anybody else, at least not on the eve of the match.
They have enough experience and depth in their ranks to overcome whatever challenge Scotland can muster. The arrival of One-day specialists Munaf Patel, Robin Uthappa, Piyush Chawla, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar has only boosted them.
If nothing, it will allow Dravid to look beyond his regulars and give a chance to those who didn't figure in the Tests. If that doesn't excite Ramesh Powar and Gautam Gambhir (Yuvraj Singh is, of course, a One-day specialist), nothing else will.
The Indian team, however, will be looking at the bigger picture. It is scheduled to play seven One-dayers in England and quite a few after that. It will have to quickly regroup, and also prepare for the backlash from a beaten and wounded England.
In less than a week's time, the roller-coaster ride will begin, starting from Northampton and winding through the entire length and breadth of England before finishing in London. They might want to enjoy Scotland while they can.