It may be surprising, given yoga's popularity back home, but India are availing the services of an Australian yoga expert, Jim Harrington. The aim is to be mentally and physically up for the challenge in South Africa.
Harrington, who lives in Cape Town, has been with the team from the start of the tour, and is working with the team's mental trainer, Paddy Upton.
"As we approach the World Cup, we want to cover all bases. We don't want to leave any stone unturned and go to the World Cup thinking we didn't try something," said Upton.
The need for a yoga expert was felt given the team's schedule and the little time for recovery. "There's not enough time to do a lot of strength training and stability exercises. The thinking is that in a 30-minute yoga session, one could do stretching, recovery, stability and the mental stuff," said Upton. Responding to how the Indians were coping with the verbal volleys from the South Africans, Upton said they were not taking note.
"We really focus on our game and strengths. We don't want to get caught up with what the South Africans are saying. We are busy and content doing our own stuff," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"We really focus on our game and strengths. We don't want to get caught up with what the South Africans are saying. We are busy and content doing our own stuff," he said.
{{/usCountry}}