The Indian cricket team are finally at peace, free from the manic fans who brave batons brandished by cops to mob them every time they are seen in public back home. On Monday, hardly a handful turned up to get glimpses or autographs of the men in blue at a practice session at New Zealand Cricket’s high performance centre on the Lincoln University campus.

Most of these were Indian expatriates. The Indian team was deprived of practice though as steady drizzle rendered the outfield at the nets area wet forcing players indoors for some fielding drills and physical exercises.

Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan jogged outside the boundary line of the adjacent Bert Sutcliffe Oval, which was hosting a match between the English Lions and New Zealand Emerging Players. Bhajji’s desperation to get into action was evident when he gave the ball that had been hit for boundary a shine before hurling it back in.

Things are no different in the Kiwi camp with the team yet to get into the groove. The players, coach and the support staff are just about getting together. There was no team bus to take them around after they assembled on Monday. The players came in their own cars for practice at the Lincoln University. Stocky coach Andy Moles was behind the wheel as he pulled into the practice area with Ross Taylor in the front seat. The drive is missing.

— K. Moses