The gloomy weather and the wet underfoot conditions would have been perfect for a game of polo. The ponies and their riders would have revelled under such conditions. But cricket is a different ball game.

Mercifully for the cricketers, skies cleared, enabling the campers to have a two and a half hour workout in the evening. The squad, bound for the Sri Lanka Independence Cup starting in Colombo on Friday, started the day's session with exercises. It was followed by nets.

Sachin Tendulkar and Azharuddin made first use of the two adjacent practice pitches. The balls were coming onto the bat and Azharuddin seemed pleased with the pitch condition.

``We made ideal batting pitches which are not as quick as the wickets at the Pace Foundation,'' K. Parthasarathy, the chief curator, said. After the practice session, the groundstaff covered the pitches to protect them from rains.

When asked whether he and his team were working on any specific area during the three-day camp, which began on Saturday, cricket manager Anshuman Gaekwad said, ``This is not a camp because normally it would be of 10-15 days with long sessions in mornings and evenings. This three-day session is merely to bring the team together. Besides, we wanted to practice as a team because we will be playing matches straightaway in Colombo. The weather is not good in Lanka and we want to make the best use of these sessions.''

Venkat Sundaram, who holds an umpiring certificate from Tasmania Cricket Association, Australia, said the players are fully fit and are raring to play. ``Weather permitting, we look forward to a full session tomorrow, the last day of the three-day get-together.''

The team had a workout in the hotel gymnasium under the watchful eye of team's physio Dr. Ravinder Chadda, who joined the team on Saturday night, and Victorian physical trainer Andrew Kokinos.

In the morning, local star Robin Singh, who was waiting for the arrival of the rest of the team, practiced with a few cricket enthusiasts on the concrete floors of the pavilion. News about the postponement of practice to afternoon came late upon which he checked in at the team's hotel to join the rest of his mates.

As usual, autograph hunters mobbed the cricketers and cheered them as they passed by. The players obliged and even posed for photographs. MRF Pace Foundation trainees bowled at the nets and the session was productive for the Indian players.