India take it easy after win

The Indians are in a relaxed mood after an easy win over Kenya and more importantly, with most of their batsmen having rediscovered their touch, writes Kadambari Murali.

Sunday is a day of rest. The Indian camp is obviously in a more relaxed mood after the relatively easy win over Kenya and more importantly, with most of their batsmen having rediscovered their touch heading into the more important stage of the tournament.

It's been quite a hectic schedule for India -- playing four full One-Day Internationals (three NatWest and one Champions Trophy game) in 10 days -- and they would be glad of the day off before getting down to the intense schedule chalked out for the all-important game against Pakistan.

Most of the team members are still stationed at the Marriot in Portsmouth, a town near Southampton, as this was supposed to be a reserve day in case of rain and the team bus will move into Birmingham on Monday morning. A couple of the players are keen on checking out the beach at Bournemouth and the International Boat Show.

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Some have gone to London for the day and will make their way to Birmingham on their own. Sourav Ganguly, Ashish Nehra, Virender Sehwag, Rohan Gavaskar…even the assiduous John Wright is in London, so this is one of those rare days when there's not even any "optional" practice.