Ashwin to unleash special delivery against Lankans

Sri Lankan team management makes surprise visit during India practice

Ind pract Raj (16)
Ravichandran Ashwin bowling at nets at the Eden Gardens. Image Source: XtraTime

Kolkata: With an eye to try out different variations, Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to be seen bowling leg-breaks during the series against Sri Lanka at home. The No.1 ranked bowler in tests was seen bowling the special delivery at the nets here at Eden Gardens.

The batsmen were not left behind as they were also seen doing special practice today at the nets at Eden Gardens. Ajinkya Rahane was seen practicing sweeps and reverse sweeps against Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav.

The Indian team support staff were seen busy giving throwdowns of short pitch deliveries as the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli warmed up for their first training sesison ahead of the Eden Test on November 16.

Rahane was the longest to take the throwdowns that went on for about half an hour as he was seen tested by short-pitch stuff, an indication of what lies in store in the two-month long South Africa tour comprsing three Test, six ODIs, three T20Is.

At the nets, India followed their batting order with Rahul and Dhawan setting the tone.

Skipper Kohli, who arrived today .orning was seen in full flow in the two and half hours practice and started off off with a few drills like stretching, one-legged jump.

Kohli also took the throwdowns and faced some short-pitched deliveries from batting coach Sanjay Bangar before heading to the main nets.

The Saurashtra duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja, who played in the last round match against Gujarat that ended yesterday, opted for a rest.

Later Indian team members Rohit Sharma, who incidentally scored his ODI world record 264 here today three years ago, inspected the pitch as Rahane and coach Ravi Shastri too had a look at the strip individually during the practice.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan team management made a surprise visit to Eden Gardens when the Indians were having their practice session. Lankan captain Chandimal was accompanied with coach Nic Pothas, bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayeke , batting coach Samarweera and manager Ashanka Gurusinha.