Indians have strenuous workout at the Eden

The Indian cricket team, which arrived in Calcutta on Thursday morning, had a strenuous workout under the watchful eye of coach John Wright at the Eden Gardens, venue of the second Test between India and Australia, beginning on March 11.

Ten members of the squad practised for nearly three hours in the afternoon, hoping to get acclimatised to the conditions.

Those yet to arrive are captain Sourav Ganguly, wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, spinners Sharandeep Singh and Venkatapathy Raju. They are expected later in the evening along with the Australian team.

Ganguly, who could manage just nine runs in the first Test in Bombay, and Sharandeep Singh were playing in the drawn three-day Australia - Board President's XI match.

With just three days left for the Test to begin, the sale of tickets has started picking up. Cricket Association of Bengal officials expressed confidence of getting a house full despite the poor show by the Indians in the first Test.

Mail Cricket Editor