IPL: Ponting joins Mumbai Indians training session

Mumbai Indians players on Friday underwent a training session ahead of the IPL season beginning next week with captain Ricky Ponting having a feel of the team environment though he did not take part in the practice.

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Ponting joined the team after arriving on Thursday night and was present at the training session at the Wankhede Stadium.

The 38-year-old, who retired from international cricket in December last, was seen chatting with team mentor Anil Kumble, chief coach John Wright and fielding coach Jonty Rhodes.

Ponting was bought by Mumbai Indians at a base price of $ 400,000 during the IPL players' auction held in Chennai in February.

Twelve players including -- Aiden Blizzard, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha, Dhawal Kulkarni, Aditya Tare, Sushant Marathe, Suryakumar Yadav -- attended the day's session.

"The players are coming in batches. Dwayne Smith will arrive tonight. Most of them would be here by Sunday and a few players are expected to join the team at Bangalore before the first match," a team spokesperson said.

Mumbai Indians begin their campaign against Royal Challengers in

Bangalore on April 4. Mumbai Indians's first home game is scheduled for April 9 against Delhi Daredevils after their second away game against former champions Chennai Super Kings on April 6.