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Indians introspect; matches to start early

September 17, 2006 20:40 IST

After surviving a scare in the rain-abandoned game against Australia [ Images ], the Indians took a day off from training to introspect and plan for its next outing in the DLF Cup tri-series against West Indies [ Images ] on Wednesday.

Indian skipper Rahul Dravid [ Images ] said the team may however opt for some yoga sessions in the day.

The Indians are also slated to attend a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission in the evening.

India [ Images ] had done well to rein in a rampaging Australia to 244 in 49.2 overs on Saturday before losing the plot completely amid the rain interruptions.

Rookie Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson [ Images ] picked four wickets in eight balls to reduce India to 35 for 5 in 8 overs before the rain gods came to the team's rescue.

Both the teams were awarded two points each as there are no reserve days in this day-night competition.

The matches will now start at 1100 IST, an hour earlier than the original scheduled time, to duck the showers that have made a habit of appearing after sunset.

With India yet to register a win -- they lost their first match on Duckworth-Lewis method to West Indies -- their fate in this lead-up tournament to the Champions Trophy [ Images ] hinges much on the outcome of the Australia-West Indies match on Monday.

If Brian Lara's [ Images ] men manage to pull off an upset win against Australia, who will be without their inspirational skipper Ricky Ponting [ Images ] and Saturday's hero Johnson, it will push India closer to elimination.

All that and the side's performance itself is expected to be discussed in team meetings today.

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