- By Vishal Pushkar
- Mon, 16 Sep 2024 03:47 PM (IST)
- Source:PTI
Rohit Sharma led the Indian cricket team's preparations for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh with an extensive training session at Chepauk on Monday. All 16 squad members participated in what was their third practice session since arriving in Chennai last week as per a report in PTI. The first Test is set to begin on Thursday.
The report further stated that Virat Kohli was one of the first batters to hit the nets, facing deliveries alongside southpaw Yashasvi Jaiswal. Both players were tested by pacer Jasprit Bumrah and local favorite R Ashwin. The next set of batters, including skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan—who joined the squad after playing in the Duleep Trophy—focused on preparing for Bangladesh's spin-heavy bowling attack.
Other key players, such as Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and pacer Mohammed Siraj, also participated in the session, facing local bowlers and receiving significant throwdowns. Notably, the practice pitches provided a decent amount of bounce, aiding the batters' preparation for the match.
Also Read: ICC names Dunith Wellalage as men's player of the month for Sept.
India will have two more practice sessions scheduled before the series opener against Bangladesh, who are riding on the confidence of their series sweep in Pakistan.
Most players in the playing eleven select themselves. The Chennai surface usually favour the spinners and there is likelihood of India going into the game with three spinners and two pacers.
The spinners expected to feature are Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav while Bumrah and Siraj will share workload in the pace department. Axar Patel, despite his impressive all-round returns across formats, may have to sit out.
Also Read: Jos Buttler on new white-ball head coach McCullum
On the batting front, Pant is expected to make his Test return after a gap of almost two years. Dhruv Jurel, who impressed his debut series against England, will be benched in that case.