Chandigarh, December 11, 2024 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau)- Reeling from their humiliating 10-wicket defeat in the pink-ball Test, the under-fire Indian batters, led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, turned their attention to red-ball preparations with an intensive net session here on Tuesday, aiming to bounce back in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
While Australia moved to Brisbane for the third Test from Saturday, the Indian team chose to stay back, focusing on honing their red-ball skills, particularly their defensive techniques and judgment in leaving deliveries.
“It’s time to look ahead. Preparations for the Brisbane Test starts right here in Adelaide,” the BCCI posted on X, sharing a video of Team India’s practice.
Struggling with poor form, having scored just 142 runs with only one fifty (52) in his last 12 innings, the Indian skipper, who rejoined the team after the birth of his son, aimed to quickly regain his rhythm as he faced both Indian spinners and pacers.
After dropping down to No. 6, Rohit had scores of three and six in Adelaide. He was adjudged lbw to a fuller delivery that nipped back, while in the second essay he was cleaned up by his Aussie counterpart Pat Cummins with a length ball that held its line and clipped the off stump.
Kohli, who ended his 16-month century drought with a hundred in Perth, fell cheaply in both innings, edging to second slip in the first innings and then to the wicketkeeper in the second essay. The star Indian batter looked full of intent and had a watchful start to his net session before slowly finding his flow.
KL Rahul looked more subdued, focusing more on his defence, while Rishabh Pant played a few pick-up shots.
Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who starred with a 161 in India’s massive 295-run win in the opening Test, was the aggressor, displaying his cheeky shots. He even stepped out to the Indian bowlers.
The bowling unit consisted of the likes of Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, Yash Dayal and the spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar, while there were a few throwdown specialists as well.
The key Indian pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj along with seam-bowling allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy looked to have a lean day. India are scheduled to reach Brisbane on Wednesday.
Summary: Indian batters intensify red-ball training ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, focusing on technique and readiness for the Test series.