Photo session with sponsors, a low-key affair

HARARE, JUNE 19. The sullen faces at the breakfast this morning said it all. The team was yet to recover from the shock of the defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe in the second Test on Monday.

But it hardly mattered for the agents of the sponsors who descended at the wrong time. The sponsors had arrived with the coloured clothing for the forthcoming triangular series with the new sponsors logo - Sahara.

Initially, the photo session for the team was scheduled on the fourth morning of the match but had to be cancelled considering the grim situation the Indians were in. The team management was not keen to push in the photo session, what with defeat looming in the horizon.

The agents had their own problems. They were running against time, having planned an elaborate hype in the media. The defeat had come as a blow but knowing the short memory of the Indian cricket fans they knew they could overcome this setback.

The players were in no mood but then they could not back out of the committment. The sponsorship deal was a big boost to their match fees too and the Board would not have appreciated any more delays from the team in this regard. Even if not completely willing, the players were herded into the coach and assembled at the Harare Sports Club for the photo session. It was not on the team management's priority list though.

For all their effort, and all the money worth it, the sponsors have failed to realise the need of the players. The quality of the clothing distributed here left much to be desired and the players too did not hide their displeasure.

It was strange that the sponsors did not give much thought to the quality of the clothing. The players would have welcomed warm clothing as it is winter here. ``We get warm clothing when we play in Sharjah,'' remarked a player, pointing to the cheap and thin material used for the shirts.

- Our Special Correspondent

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Section  : Sport
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