Colombo, August 11:

India’s cricket team arrived in Sri Lanka to play a tri-nation limited-overs series, after fine-tuning with what local media was dubbing military training.

Sri Lanka’s “The Island” newspaper carried front page photographs of Yuvraj Singh in camouflaged dress taking aim with a rifle assisted by personnel from the Indian Parachute Regiment, and other players climbing ropes walking a tight rope in military-like dress.

The training was part of India’s preparation in the southern city of Bangalore, before the tournament which also involves South Africa. “It’s nothing extraordinary, whatever we do is blown out of proportion,” Indian skipper Rahul Dravid told reporters in Colombo when asked about the exercise. “We were there just to explore their (players’) minds and to show that there is more to life than a game of cricket,” Dravid said. “We have to give them opportunities to explore different things.”

Boosted by the return of prolific batsman Sachin Tendulkar after five months of rest because of shoulder surgery, the Indians will play a warm-up match on Saturday before taking part in their first tournament match on August 16 against Sri Lanka.

Dravid conceded India has not had much success playing in Sri Lanka. “Sri Lanka, particularly on their home conditions, have played really well. It’s been quite a challenge for us,” he said. India needs to get better at the simple things, like taking singles against slow bowlers in the middle overs, to overcome the problem, he said.