After Tendulkar's ankle injury, Dravid hit by RP Singh delivery

Kolkata, May 5 (UNI) It was a bad day at office for the Men in Blue as they found it hard to regain the rhythm after skipper Rahul Dravid was injured by a RP Singh delivery during the morning practice session.

The day started off with regular batting and bowling sessions and most of the batsmen looked comfortable with the willow. Dravid's injury, however, affected the momentum of some of the players as they looked listless after the skipper was taken off the field.

The evening's fielding session was also no better as the players found it difficult under the scorching afternoon sun. Most of the players, particularly seniors like Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag were slow to react in ground fielding. Ganguly, however, looked at ease taking the high catches at the outfield.

The fielding session was conducted mostly with tennis balls as fielding coach Robin Singh tested the player's close catching skills hitting the balls with a tennis racket. Most players were far from impressive in this area and missed about 90 per cent of catches.

Sachin Tendulkar was seen taking part in both the sessions but he was careful not to exert himself too much. He, however, looked very much at ease and there was no signs of any pain caused by his ankle that was twisted on the first day of the conditioning camp.

''Sachin is much better now. Since he will be a part of the Test team and not the one-dyers, he will get ten more days to recover, by which time, we are expecting him to be completely fit again,'' said Mr Bhave.

Meanwhile, stylish Hyderbadi VVS Laxman has been exempted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India from joining the camp as he was down with gastroenteritis. He is expected to join the squad directly in Bangladesh, where he, like Tendulkar and Ganguly, will be a part of the Test team.

Dinesh Kaarthik, who also could not take part in the camp due to his wedding, is expected to join the the team tomorrow.

Dravid's injury, however, was not serious and he is expected to be fit within 48 hours.

''Dravid has been asked to take complete rest for 24 hours, thus he will not be able to take part in the remaining of the sessions.

He will be fit again by day after tomorrow,'' said Surinder Bhave.

UNI