At the nets, Gill, Pant show they mean business

BRISBANE: There was a time when the eve of a match would mean that the venue would be a beehive of activity.

- Ashish Magotra

The players would come in wanting to apply last-minute touches to their technique; some would just like to feel bat on ball, Matthew Hayden would sit on the pitch, Rahul Dravid would shadow practice, Virender Sehwag would have a hit and Sachin Tendulkar would famously just need throw downs. It was all designed to get the individual in the groove.

These days, in the era of optional practices, the day before the game is a far tamer affair. On most days, players who know they are playing the next day, do not turn up.