Young cricketers set to train at seamer-friendly Dharamsala

With Indian cricket team’s inadequacy to handle bounce and swing been exposed by the two consecutive overseas drubbings, the BCCI is mulling to train the young cricketers at the picturesque Dharmsala, that has conditions akin to the England and Australia. In a recently concluded National Cricket Academy (NCA) meeting at the board headquarters, it was decided that the players picked for different BCCI academies will have to undergo a two-week training camp at Dharmsala in Himachal Pradesh. The move comes in view of the bowling friendly conditions that prevail at the venue, which will give cricketers a fair idea of how to handle swing. [caption id=“attachment_200600” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Reuters”]  [/caption] It has been learnt that the governing body is contemplating to build a seamer-friendly track at the venue apart from an academy, where players can prepare before touring places like England, Australia or New Zealand. A proposal to this effect is already under consideration and the board could take a final decision in this regard during its AGM in September. Confirming the proposal the BCCI joint-secretary Anurag Thakur said high-altitude training and learning to play on green tops are basic requirements and the board wants the youngsters to hone their skills in these challenging conditions. “In the past, some BCCI members have suggested Dharamsala as a much suited training place before touring countries like South Africa and Australia,” he said. With the board already having taken some positive step forward by allowing its Under-19 team to participate in the quadrangular series in Australia in April, Thakur said the tour will help the youngsters to get hang of the alien conditions. “Australian tour will help future cricketers get used to pitches abroad,” he said. Indian colts are scheduled to play the U-19 World Cup in Australia in August and the tour in April will be an ideal preparation the mega event. The quadrangular series will also feature teams from England and New Zealand apart from the hosts. PTI