Dambulla: When Yuvraj Singh grumbles about a stiff back, Team India management doesn't get into a panic or a sweat.

They all know too well how the loosening up exercise in the warmer climate of Colombo to that of Bangalore, and later relaxing in the cool dressing room might have done a small mischief to his back. It's just a twinge; nothing serious, or that a little gym work and physio can't put right.

Thus after his impressive as well as highly entertaining practice match century innings against a Sri Lankan XI as part of his honouring India's Independence Day, Friday, he might be feeling a tad tired. Slamming the ball around with some gusto as he did means losing quite a jug-full of sweat as well and the liquids needed to replace them takes a while.

It is where fitness plays a major role in conditioning the body to play such a frenetic innings over the latter stages.

Yuvraj also has a strong belief in self motivation. And as discovered there had been enough to inspire him as well at P Sara Oval, the scene of India's third Test defeat.

That is one part of this pre-ODI series landscape as the Punjab batsman and Indian limited overs squad vice-captain also grumbled over feeling a little stiff twenty-four hours later.

India and Sri Lanka took the day off from the usual practice routine as the luxury buses carrying both teams left the capital for the cultural triangle.

It is the first time that India have been here in three years, the last being when Greg Chappell's reign started and the plan then was experimentation and switching around the top-order.

But Gary Kirsten, who flies back to Sri Lanka on Sunday hopes to be around to take first practice session at Rangiri Stadium, is not into such fanciful gameplans.

Yuvraj already has a gameplan: one is a motivation to improve his batting average as a matter of showing the selectors he can also hold a place in the Test side. The second is a motivation to help India win the series which starts on Monday.