The Anil Kumble-led Indian cricket team had a strenuous three hour-long practice session in hot and humid conditions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday ahead of the first of the three Test-series against South Africa beginning in Chennai on March 26.

Paddy Upton, the mental conditioning coach of the squad, was seen interacting with the players on a one-on-one basis while the batting, bowling and fielding sessions were held.

Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh as well as paceman Ishant Sharma, who is not in the team for the match, were seen going to video analyst S Ramakrishnan, who them the slow motion clippings of their batting and bowling at the nets on Sunday.

Wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh, who were cleared for the series after fitness tests, were also seen undergoing the rigours throughout the session.

Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, who is out of the squad due to injury, was seen walking from the pavilion to the practising area with a crepe bandage tied to his left leg.

After two days of rains, there was bright sunshine on Sunday and the groundsmen were seen watering the pitch and rolling it. The outfield is stone dry and the ball is expected to moveat a fast pace.