And while Sachin was putting a razor to his cheek (incidentally, he's looking remarkably trim having lost 10 kilos), Ajit Agarkar, Nikhil Chopra, and Vijay Bharadwaj were sweating it out in the fitness centre. Only Agarkar and Chopra weren't exactly pumping iron, just getting a haircut, a shampoo and a pumped-up champi. Obviously, the Guwahati match and the flight had taken their toll, leaving all three looking listless. ``We are so tired we probably can't even make it to any disco in town,'' laughed Agarkar.

Another person who was cheerful was G.R. Yadav, the receptionist at the fitness centre, recalling anecdotes about sundry teams. But his favourite player, Ajay Jadeja, was yet to check in. Jadeja reportedly even sought Yadav's help one time in sneaking home to have ``maa ka banaya khana''. If Jadeja seems to be mama's boy, a lot of teeny-boppers would give their right hands to be in T. Kumaran's place, given that he is sharing a room with that other heart-throb, Rahul Dravid. Sunil Joshi was a much-harried man as the team's luggage landed late, and he was left without any ironed clothes to wear to the High Commission.

Both Joshi and Bharadwaj had to rush downstairs to identify and pick their luggage. Sachin, however, was all sweetness in his suite, signing autographs for a couple of kids who were so overawed by the great man they could barely say `hi'. The Indian team is also supposed to be having a little get-together later in the night. The Kiwis left much earlier, trooping out soon after checking in, in identical green checked shirts and grey trousers.

They have reportedly asked for a complete media blanket at the nets tomorrow morning at the Palam Air Force grounds. They have also asked for at least four litres of water per player for the nets, and lots of electrolytes. Their physiotherapist, Mark Harrison, has reportedly asked the Taj Palace kitchen for a menu that will go with his team's preparation. The Kiwi team is going to have continental food, lots of white meat, some lean red meat, most of it grilled. As for who gets grilled on the field, that will have to wait till Wednesday.