Less than 48 hours after their triumphant Asia Cup win, India’s Test squad has returned to rigorous training in Ahmedabad, gearing up for the first of two crucial Tests against the West Indies, scheduled to begin this Thursday. In a move aimed at prioritizing player well-being, three senior members of the squad were given a much-needed break. Meanwhile, the rest of the team, under the guidance of captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir, dedicated nearly three hours to their practice session at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The quick transition from Sunday’s Asia Cup final has brought player workload to the forefront. The training kicked off with light drills, soon followed by an active net session for the batsmen. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul displayed excellent form and fluidity. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, who recently led India A, also looked impressive. Middle-order hopefuls B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal appeared particularly solid. Notably, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, and spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel were excused from the session for rest.
Captain Gill, however, underwent a demanding practice. He encountered several close calls, including edges off both pacers and throwdown specialists, and even took a rising ball on his gloves. Despite these challenges, Gill consistently rotated between nets, facing diverse bowling to sharpen his skills for his inaugural home Test as captain. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, fresh from their India A duties against Australia A, delivered impressive spells, each bowling for approximately 45 minutes.
Coach Gambhir, who had previously inspected the pitch upon arrival, revisited it for a closer assessment once the training concluded. The primary selection puzzle for India seems to revolve around an additional batting position. Devdutt Padikkal, riding high on a recent score of 150 in an unofficial Test against Australia A, appeared in superb touch during the nets. All-rounder Nitish Reddy, who also shone with the ball alongside Siraj and Prasidh, presents a viable seam-bowling option.
The core of the team appears well-established, with Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Siraj, and Bumrah forming key pillars. Kuldeep Yadav’s recent stellar performances position him as a potential game-changer against a West Indies team that may struggle with the unfamiliar Indian conditions. Unfortunately for the West Indies squad, their outdoor practice session was cut short by rain, forcing them to conduct a brief indoor training for just half an hour.