Ind vs SA: MSD & Co. to undergo army training ahead of high-voltage series

After a week-long preparatory training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, the Indian cricket team will now undergo a gruelling two-day boot camp ahead of the high-voltage series against South Africa, starting on 2 October.

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MS Dhoni's men will have to sweat it out in the intense physical endurance tests as part of their rigorous programme to be held in Himachal Pradesh ahead of their marathon 72-day series against the Proteas.

According to a report in the Times of India, the programme has been conducted on the advice of Indian Team Director Ravi Shastri who believes that the exercise is necessary to increase the physical and mental endurance of players ahead of the tough home season.

The reports suggest that the boot camp, slated to begin on 28 September, will include obstacle courses, high-altitude trekking and barrier courses. The training could also involve a hike of over 7,000 feet above sea level and has been modelled according to the drills of the Indian Army.

"After the Indian team came back from Sri Lanka, Shastri had a talk with Anurag Thakur and requested him to grant the team necessary logistics for the high-altitude training. Anuragji gave a thumbs-up to Shastri's plan and told us to make sure that arrangements were made," the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) press secretary Mohit Sood revealed.

Indian cricket team is not the first to undergo a boot camp training ahead of a crucial series. In 2006, Australian coach John Buchanan organised a boot camp to condition the Oz players in handling pressure. The end-result was a 5-0 whitewash of England in the 2006/07 Ashes series.

After being humiliated by Australia, England responded with their own boot camp in the Bavarian Jungles to prepare for the 2010 Ashes series against familiar foes. The training included boxing, abseiling and hiking which led England to their first Ashes series win in Australia after 24 years in 2010.

Though it's a little too early to predict whether the boot camp will turn out to be a success for India against the visitors in the upcoming series or not. But, the unique training will surely allow the likes of MS Dhoni, who's making a comeback in the side after a long time, to get into the groove.

South Africa, who arrived in the country on 27 September, will lock horns with India in three T20s, five ODIs and four Tests. The visitors will start their tour with a T20 warm-up game against India A on 29 September in New Delhi.