Team India takes tough lessons from Army

Bangalore, July 31 (UNI) The Indian cricket team today got a taste of the rigorous Army training methods at a defence establishment on the outskirts of the city on the penultimate day of their week-long fitness camp, ahead of the Sri Lankan tri-nation series beginning from August 14.

Sweating it out at the Training Centre of the elite Parachute Regiment, the Men in Blue were given an overview of the Parachute Regiment and an opportunity to handle some of the weapons and equipment used by the Army to test their marksmanship and grenade throwing abilities, according to an official release here.

Perhaps for the first time, the cricketers underwent rigorous training that volunteer aspirants of the Special Forces go through such as rock climbing, commando slide and advanced obstacle course.

The players, selected for the tri-series with South Africa being the third team, also underwent tactical exercise, for which they were required to ''infiltrate into hostile territory to carry out a strike on a terrorist camp and rescue hostages.'' They also interacted with the officers and their families and presented cricketing kits to the students of the Para School and Boys Hostel.

Parachute Regiment Training Centre Commandant Brig Deepak Sinha said the purpose of the unique training was to expose the team to the Army way of life and facilitate an interaction with the jawans.

''The experience will broaden their horizons and give them an insight into why the Army continues to be such a stellar institution in the country,'' he added.

The players evinced keen interest in all activities and participated with great enthusiasm.

The Parachute Regiment comprised elite special forces and airborne battalions that were at the forefront of all conventional and unconventional operations of the Army.

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