In a spirited afternoon practice session at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna brought the heat, reminiscent of their Oval heroics. For an intense 45 minutes, they relentlessly challenged India’s top-order batsmen. Siraj, in particular, tested KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, even forcing captain Shubman Gill to nick a delivery. His signature mock appeal sparked laughter among the team, with bowling coach Morne Morkel joining the fun as umpire. Gill seemed a bit out of sync, frequently edging or missing deliveries. Fans are eager to see him find his form, especially as he leads India in his first home Test at a venue he knows well from his time with Gujarat Titans.
Bumrah, Axar, Kuldeep Opt for Rest
Given that Tuesday’s net session was optional for players involved in the upcoming Asia Cup, key figures like Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav chose to rest. The team, including support staff, had arrived from Dubai in the early hours, checking into their hotels at 3:30 AM.
Le Roux Pushes Players to Their Limits
Strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux ensured that all present players underwent a rigorous fitness regimen. Amidst intense sprints and stretches, his encouraging shouts, like “Come on, good. I’m looking now for shorter strides but with your knees higher as you hop,” motivated the athletes. Le Roux, known for his work with IPL franchises like KKR and Punjab Kings, took over from Soham Desai in June. His earlier tenure with the Indian team from 2002 to 2003 coincided with some of the team’s most consistent performances.
Is Washington Sundar Injured?
A notable concern from the session was Washington Sundar, who appeared to be struggling with a finger injury, limiting his participation in catching drills. Looking dejected, Sundar was seen speaking with skipper Shubman Gill on the drinks cart. Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Mohammed Siraj also gathered to assess his hand. Despite the discomfort, Sundar managed a lengthy bowling spell, requesting extra tape for his bowling hand from the team doctor. Since October of last year, when New Zealand toured India, Sundar has been a vital all-rounder for the team, making significant contributions with both bat and ball in England and Australia.