Lack of nets session hurting Vidarbha players

VCA cites NMC restrictionsNAGPUR: It's been almost 20 days since Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) started on-ground activities after a gap of eight months. However, they are yet to start the nets sessions due to restrictions by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).The lack of skills session is hurting Vidarbha's preparations for the upcoming season. A former player, who doesn't wish to be named, told TOI that fitness and fielding sessions are becoming too monotonous for players."I met a current Vidarbha player recently, who told me that it's not much different to what they had been doing at home. Only addition is ground fielding and catching. While fielding is important in the modern game, you can't win the game by fielding alone. How many days will you do fielding alone? It should be enjoyable and shouldn't become a burden for players. Players need nets sessions to develop and keep muscle memory," a former player told TOI, requesting anonymity.While VCA is yet to start skill sessions, its several affiliated clubs have already started nets sessions. However, none of the 70 players are allowed to go to their respective clubs. "I fail to understand how the fielding session is different from batting and bowling sessions. There is hardly anybody contact during nets sessions. In fact, fielding in current scenario poses more threat of infection as players touch the same balls time and again. Yes there are restrictions but NMC has clearly said that as long as everyone is following the Covid protocols, they don't have any problems. How is nets session breaching the Covid protocols," he said.Players have been divided into two batches of 35 players each. The kind of facilities VCA has, nets sessions can easily be done at Civil Lines stadium. "I have heard batsmen are practicing indoors. However, it's totally different to a nets session. Indoors are okay during the off season when nothing much happens. However, batting and bowing on turf wickets is a different ball game. If nets and practice matches won't start, it will hurt players big time. Some 40 odd players in a big ground is by no means threatening," he said.VCA is one of the few associations in the country facing the problem due lack of practice sessions before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 tournament. "Due to limited activities allowed by NMC, we are unable to hold the trials, organize the practice matches. We are very clear, until we get proper permission from the local authorities, we won't conduct full-fledged activities," a VCA source told TOI.