Besting Themselves

RCB licks its wounds. Don't wounded lions do that? And what do these giant cats do when they get up... fight to the death.

The intensity of thought (and action) continues no matter that RCB have not been successful in their two outings in this edition of the Champions League. At the breakfast table, the closest thing to the bonfire on a regular basis, the analysts and coaches plot away and can’t stop talking cricket. Presently, RCB need comprehensive wins in their next two matches (2nd and 5th October), by 19 runs or with 15 balls to spare.

Then again, the results of other matches are important with the present state of statistics – KKR should beat the Warriors by a low margin and the Redbacks should beat Somerset. Did we mention rains defeating practice sessions or the match?!

Yesterday, 30 September was a recuperation day. Most players, one gathered, didn’t sleep too well, no doubt the result of the match against KKR rubbing deep within. In any case, with a match finishing at 11:30 pm and a return to the hotel by 12:30 am midnight, the sleep patterns of the players change. Even if fans expect this to become a part of their cycle. A decompression period of at least a half hour may be necessary after a shower, which takes their sleep time to about 1:30 am if lucky. That’s the life or a sportsman.

Remember, it’s very important for ‘athletes’ to give themselves adequate rest, which would be good to estimate to 9 or 10 hours. This is important to boost the body’s immunity system. You wouldn’t want your favourite players falling sick from the wrong reasons, right?! So, they get up at about 12 pm, afternoon. Here again, the meal pattern is disturbed especially hitting these ‘athletes’ who are told to consume about six meals during the day (obviously small ones) as opposed to the traditional three. Anyway, they do their best to adjust.

Note, the Champions League schedule, especially this edition’s and for Royal Challengers Bangalore is much better than during IPL, where they were constantly asked to pack their bags after a finished match and fly the next day. With all of RCB’s league matches being scheduled for Bengaluru, after the lone match in Kolkata was moved due to rains initially to Hyderabad and finally to Bengaluru, the players at least have that benefit of time. Not to mention the gaps between matches are a minimum of four days, except the semi-finals and finals.

By evening, the players, having had their gym workout, trooped in to a get together at 7:15 pm in the team hotel. IT was a good atmosphere to unwind and bond. Missing was Virat Kohli who was obliged to go to Mumbai for a cricket-related function. This was a wonderful piece of planning by the team management, for shortly after, the team was to leave for another premium hotel in the city, to grace the fashion show being held for Signature premium whiskey, all associated with United Spirits. Well, a relatively relaxed day except that the players would look for room to space themselves better.

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Besting Themselves

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