Just like their memorable performance at the Oval in London, where Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were instrumental in India’s famous victory over England, the duo brought that same fiery intensity to the Narendra Modi Stadium nets in Ahmedabad. For 45 minutes, they relentlessly bowled to India’s top-order batters, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a high-stakes match.
Siraj, in particular, was in formidable form. He kept KL Rahul under pressure, troubled Yashasvi Jaiswal, and even managed to get a nick off captain Shubman Gill’s bat. His signature mock appeal, arms outstretched, sparked laughter among the players and even drew a smile from Gill, as bowling coach Morne Morkel playfully officiated. Gill, making his Test captaincy debut in India, seemed a little out of sync, frequently edging or being beaten. Fans will undoubtedly be hoping he finds his rhythm quickly at his home ground, where he plays for the Gujarat Titans.
Bumrah, Axar, Kuldeep Take a Break
The team management had declared Tuesday’s net session optional for players heading to the Asia Cup. Consequently, key players like Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav chose to rest. The entire contingent, including players and support staff arriving from Dubai, had checked into their hotels in the early hours of Tuesday morning, around 3:30 AM.
Le Roux Pushes Players to Their Limits
Earlier in the day, team strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux put all available players through their paces. Amidst a session of sprints and stretches, his voice rang out with encouragement. “Come on, good. I’m looking now for shorter strides but with your knees higher as you hop,” he instructed during one of the rigorous drills. Le Roux, who previously worked with IPL teams like KKR and Punjab Kings, took over from Soham Desai as India’s strength and conditioning coach in June. His earlier stint with the Indian team from 2002 to 2003 coincided with some of their most consistent performances.
Is Sundar Injured?
A worrying sight emerged when Washington Sundar appeared to be hampered by a finger injury, limiting his participation in catching drills. Looking visibly dejected, Sundar was soon joined by skipper Gill, who sat with him on the drinks cart to check on his condition. Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Mohammed Siraj also gathered around to inspect Sundar’s hand. Despite the apparent discomfort, Sundar did manage a long bowling spell, but later requested extra tape for his bowling hand from the team doctor. Sundar has become an invaluable asset for India, contributing significantly with both bat and ball since New Zealand’s tour last October, and delivering crucial performances in England and Australia.