Sunday evening on tour

What do the Indian players do on a Sunday evening during a tour? Some like Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina go to watch the movie Victory, which premiered here a couple of days ago..

The film’s stars have been in the team hotel for the last two days. All I can tell you about Amrita Rao, the heroine, is that she made me hit the gym. I peep in but head out immediately. Fat men don't run.

Ravindra Jadeja comes out of the gym sweating, munching an apple. “Didn't go for the movie?” I ask. "Nah boss,” he says. Jadeja is desperately keen to play in the series but is realistic about his chances. "The team might want to win the series first before giving chances to the likes of me."

Jadeja is in awe of Shane Warne, his captain at the Rajasthan Royals. So what's so special about him? "Everything,” Jadeja says. “He put everyone at ease and he was a brilliant captain, making some great decisions on the field. Small things, the way he encouraged us to play our natural games, helped us grow in confidence. Warne is a gem of a person. I really enjoyed the time with him in IPL. Graeme Smith was also good, very professional, and I learnt a lot."

Has Warne taught him how to text better and faster as well? Jadeja laughs. At least drink? More laughs. "I don't drink,” he says. “There used to be beers and drinks flowing in the IPL parties. I never touched them." Not even one itsy bitsy gulp? "No!" Let's see in two years boss! "Arre, I didn't drink playing with Warne, so I don't see a problem with our cricketers!"

Has he spent time with Sachin Tendulkar? "Yeah I have spoken [to him] but I would like to sit down and have a proper chat sometime during this series."

Jadeja adds, "If and when I get a chance, I will make sure I play my natural game." When you are a teenager and rub shoulders with Tendulkar and Warne, the future can’t help but appear rosy.