In modern sport, the pre-season is as important as the season itself. It’s no different at the Mumbai Indians. Acclimatising, running, more running, gymming, dieting, swimming, batting, bowling, fielding, relaxing and socialising — this is what our boys did at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Ghansoli for a week.

The elegantly-designed training facility at RCP is equipped with a beautiful ground, a state-of-the-art gym, a huge swimming pool. The best part about the locale is the homely atmosphere it provides. Oh, and yes, in the backdrop are hills. Not to forget the greenery all around!

The boys spent a full week at the facility located on the outskirts of the city (March 25-31). One of the highlights of the camp was the players undergoing the now-mandatory yo-yo test. Well, we can say with pride that all our boys cleared the test with flying colours.

Earlier that day, they received a special visitor. Akash Ambani met with each player on the sidelines of the training session. To encourage is to empower and that’s surely how the boys felt after the rendezvous.

What’s Twenty20 without strength and power? Nothing to write home about, clearly. And that’s why we got the boys to hit the gym! They were put through the paces by the strength and conditioning coaches of the team. Each player was given a specific workout schedule. After a well-deserved break, the boys underwent an intense nets session in the evening. Ishan Kishan worked on, among other aspects, the switch hit!

Remember how your muscles go all stiff the night after a long workout session? It happens to everyone. And that’s why we helped the boys rejuvenate the following morning. How? Well, by taking a dip in the pool. More than just a dip, actually. We got them to play water polo. What a soothing experience, right?

There was a nets session in the evening, but everybody was clearly looking forward to the birthday celebrations of two special people. TA Sekhar, who’s back with the squad, and L Varun (Video Analyst) cut their cakes before the boys did you know what!

After a few days of physical conditioning, the boys familiarised themselves with match simulation, the most ideal way to get accustomed to the demands of the tournament that beckons. Batsmen (in pairs) were given targets like ‘score 40 off four overs with one wicket in hand’ and bowlers were told to defend a certain number of runs in an over. Simulation is an integral part of practice sessions and every cricket team, especially those playing T20, make it a point to undergo these sessions. After all, they make your players match-ready.

The boys kicked off their last full-day routine at RCP with a pool session. It was hot. And they needed it. Then, they spent time honing their batting, bowling and fielding skills. Fielding coach James Pamment, who joined the squad this season, gave the boys some ‘target practice’. We mean he helped them perfect the art of getting those direct hits right! Lasith Malinga, the team’s bowling mentor, showed MD Nidheesh, our pacer from Kerala, how to get his wrist position right. Nidheesh couldn’t have asked for more. He’s learning how to bowl in the Vivo IPL from none other than the leading wicket-taker in the tournament’s history!

After a week in Ghansoli, the boys made the 40-km trip to — where else — Nariman Point. There’s no better feeling that coming back home! And the Trident was all decked up. The MI flags were ip, the team room got a makeover, and the hotel staff welcomed the boys with open arms, with garlands and ‘tika’ to go with it.

Also, the Big Three — Rohit Sharma. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya — checked in. What’s more, the team had its first training session at the Wankhede Stadium. There were warm-up drills, some football and then some intense sessions in the nets. Another fruitful day! The next morning was reserved for profile shoots and some behind-the- scenes videos. In the evening, Evin Lewis displayed his big-hitting skills. At one point during the session, he let the bowlers assigned to him take a breather. How? By hitting each one of them into the stands. It took a while before the balls were brought back!

The squad is gearing up for the season-opener against CSK on Saturday. The preparations are on in full swing. Stay tuned!