Kohli, Dhoni goes through rigorous endurance test ahead of first ODI in Dambulla

WhatsApp Image 2017-08-18 at 16.17.37
Debasis Sen, Dambulla:
Fitness seems to be the mantra for this current India team. Each and every individual of this team is not shy of giving fitness tests whenever required. As the practice session almost got over today at the Rangiri International Stadium here, Dhoni along with Kohli and KL Rahul were spotted in the far end of the ground with strength trainer Shankar Basu. All three of them were seen giving endurance tests after a few minutes. It was a great sight for the photographers as both Dhoni and Kohli were seen taking sprints together. The Indian captain, who made his ODI debut at this very ground in 2008, removed his practice jersey after a while along with Rahul.

As the three of them began taking short sprints, after a few while the former captain, easily one of the fittest cricketers in his hey days was seen gasping for breath. Dhoni was seen holding his waist after a few sprints, which meant clear signs of age catching up. But as cricket lovers all over the world know him, he is one man who will not give up. Even after Virat and Rahul finished their tests, Dhoni kept on taking the short sprints until he was signalled to stop by the strength trainer.

Both the former and present captains looked in cheerful mood as they were seen prancing jokes with the other teammates. Both of them were pictured battling it out against each other while playing football during training ahead of their first ODI against Sri Lanka in Dambulla, on Friday.
The Indian cricketers had a rigorous training session although there was a slight stoppage in the middle due to torrential downpour. Team India coach Ravi Shastri was seen having a session in the beginning of practice session with young guns Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.

Team India will be confident of a series win after destroying the hosts in the recently-concluded Test series, where they blanked the Islanders 3-0. The series offers India’s second line of talent a moment in the spotlight with spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, and pacemen Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, being rested by selectors.
Young spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to make the starting line-up in one or more of the five matches.
India are scheduled to play a lone Twenty20 in Colombo on September 6 after the completion of the ODI series.