Mohali: It is all play and no rest for the Indian cricket team and things do not look very rosy on the fitness front right now.
So much so, that there are doubts as to how many players from the present team will be fit enough to show up at the 2011 World Cup, set to commence next February.
A few days ago, Indian cricketers reportedly protested over such a tight schedule, but it was quickly hushed up by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The BCCI went on to announce that no complaint was received by the board from any player. The fact is, no player wants to come out in the open and speak on the issue.
However, Harbhajan Singh, after his spell against Australia in the first innings here, was quick to admit: "I bowled my 50 overs on one leg." He was a doubtful starter for this match, following a shin injury.
"I have shin pain and went for an MRI and a bone scan. At the end of the day, it was my call," he said.
Like many players who prefer to play on even with an injury, Harbhajan played in spite of the pain. "I thought the best way is to go out and not think about pain or injury. Just go out and play," he said.
Ishant Sharma, who is supposed to have recovered from his injuries, is not yet fully fit. He is nursing a knee injury and he too bowled with pain.
When Sharma went out to bat as the night watchman on the second day, the crowd booed at him. Was it because he let India down by playing the match despite being unfit?
S. Sreesanth was seen bowling at the nets with both his legs wrapped tightly, making one wonder whether he too was still on the injured list.
India's schedule till the World Cup is such that it is going to be tough even for the fittest of players.
It will be interesting to see if skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who dropped three vital catches in the first innings, mostly due to fatigue, will keep wickets in all the matches till the World Cup.
This series against Australia goes on till October 24 and then in 10 days' time, from November 4, the hosts take on New Zealand in a five match one-day series that continues until December 10.
And from December 16, India play their first Test of a three-match series in South Africa.
After the Tests, Dhoni's boys are also scheduled to play five one-dayers and one Twenty20 match. They return to India only by Jan 23 and on February 19 they play their first match in the World Cup against Bangladesh.
