Skipper Virat Kohli addresses the media in Cape Town on Saturday. PIC/AP, PTI

The first ball faced by an Indian batsman on the tour of South Africa was a snorter that reared menacingly from a good length. It was not delivered by a tall South African, but rather a member of the support staff whipping the ball in at Ajinkya Rahane in a practice net. But this was not because of the bounce in the pitch, but rather that there were a few damp spots about, and the players soon moved to another strip and settled in. India's first practice session of the 2017-18 tour of South Africa was less cricket nets and more like a cricket camp. The picturesque ground of the Western Province Cricket Association, which India have sort of commandeered as their home base for the moment, was awash with players in all parts. From batting in the nets to centre-wicket practice to slip-catching to fielding drills, nearly 25 Indians, including support staff and support bowlers, were on the park at any given time.