Struggling Team India pick go-karting over nets session before Perth Test

The mounting criticism of their poor show in the Test series against Australia notwithstanding, the Indian cricket team chose to enjoy some go-karting on Monday instead of having a nets session ahead of the do-or-die third Test, starting in Perth on Friday.

For the third day running, the beleaguered team chose to keep itself away from cricket.

While cricket fans back home are up in arms, and former players are baffled by their take-it-easy approach, Team India is insistent that taking their minds off the game is the best way to get ready for the decisive Perth Test.

Down 0-2 in the four-Test series after crushing defeats in Melbourne and Sydney, the third game is a must-win for the tourists who are beset with bowling and batting issues.

"The first Test ended on the fourth day and the next day was a free day. But did the Indian team practice? I don't think they practiced. Why did they not practice? Nobody knows," Sunil Gavaskar had stated.

After the go-karting session on Monday evening, the team is scheduled to have dinner together. They intend to commence their first practice session on Tuesday, at the WACA.

It's not the first time that the Indians have chosen to be flippant ahead of an international game. They arrived only a few hours before the Napier Test match in New Zealand three years ago, and only last summer, when everything was going down the drain in England, they chose to indulge in go-karting in Cardiff before the final One-Day International.

India skipper Dhoni isn't one who believes instant solutions are found by spending extra hours at the nets.

"They have got a fair amount of exposure to Australian bowling. Now you need to switch off from the game. You don't want to overdo it," he said.

"There may be few individuals who would like to spend more time in the nets. I personally feel if you switch off, it de-stresses you and you come back in a positive state of mind.