Mumbai Indians undergo intense practice session

Mumbai, April 10 (IANS) Two days ahead of their match against Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians underwent a rigorous training session at the Wankhede Stadium here on Friday.

The team lost in the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener against Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Starting off the training with some stretching exercises, the players spent time jogging and dribbling, and seemed in high spirits.

The entire 26-member squad was involved in a rugby session where fielding coach Jonty Rhodes also took part. The players ran and threw themselves on the field, with the entire team looking fit and fine.

Soon after the rugby session, the players' fielding skills were tested under the watchful eyes of the South African fielding great Rhodes. Stumps were placed in the middle as each player were given chance to hit the stumps from a fare distance.

As the fielding session was over, the batters padded up to face the bowlers (both spinners and pacers).

Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma was the first to take the batting crease.

Middling the ball against both spinners and pacers, Rohit seemed in no trouble whatsoever, managing to send the ball into the stands a number of times. His unbeaten 98 against KKR on Wednesday must have given him a great boost at the start of the season.

Newly-appointed coach Ricky Ponting was present, constantly monitoring the team's practice.

Other batsmen Aaron Finch, Corey Anderson, Kieron Pollard, Unmukt Chand, Ambati Rayudu, Lendl Simmons all spend quality time at the net.

In the bowling department, spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha had long spells while pacers Lasith Malinga, Marchant de Lange, Mitchell McClenaghan, R Vinay Kumar and Corey Anderson all had their part in the session.