Key India players begin their preparations for the Bangladesh series that begins from next Thursday in Chennai.
Key India players have arrived in Chennai and are putting their paces ahead of the 5-test home stand that begins against Bangladesh on Thursday.
After arriving in Chennai on 12th, the team took to training in small batches.
It is a busy 5-month stretch for India as they play 10 test matches on the trot. 2 against Bangladesh followed by 3 against New Zealand at home. They then travel to Australia for the huge 5-test series that begins in November.
The Bangladesh series also marks new coach Gautam Gambhir’s first test assignment in the red-ball format.
Rohit Sharma was the first to take to the nets after addressing the team in a huddle. Following him was Virat Kohli, who will be playing his first test after a 9-month gap. He had missed the entire England series in January for personal reasons.
Both batters took turns to face a batch of net bowlers on pitches that were on either side of the square in Chepauk. They were specially preparing pitches which will be similar to the conditions come matchday.
One pitch was made of black soil with a lot of footmarks on good length. The other was a red-soil pitch that was selectively watered. This goes in line with India making pitches that will help the pacers as well.
Rohit and Kohli found willing partners in Gill and Jaiswal. Both young batters have runs and form with them in the test format. All four of them alternated between the two nets and were consequently fed a diet rich in left-arm spin.
Soon it was time for India’s bowlers to have their fun and Jasprit Bumrah made merry. Though his secondary skill, he was majestic charging out of the crease to loft balls straight down the ground.
The first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 19 is one of five home games that India have. They are No. 1 on the points table and will be looking for five more wins from the 10 remaining games