s in both of Friday’s opening practice sessions on the high-speed Monza circuit, which favors Mercedes’ stronger power. The visitors took 70 minutes to break down a San Marino defense that was conceding an average of five goals per game. With Delhi underachieving over the last few years and coach KP Bhaskar and veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir having a fractious relationship, his assignment was not easy. This time, the federation blamed ‘a couple of wrestlers’ for not providing their tax returns in time, which resulted in the delay. Hitting winners and unforced errors in almost equal measure in the opening set, the former world number one dug deep to take the advantage. Ghavri, who played in 39 Tests and 19 ODIs for India, had formed a players’ association himself consisting of nine former players. France wasn’t India’s first option as India headed into the home stretch of their preparations. He was rebuked by team management for posting a video of himself on social media jumping off a balcony into a swimming pool. “If the chance is there we will take it, of course. We want players to do well for Delhi, and take the state forward in the process.