Debasis Sen, Manchester: Virat Kohli and his team will have their task cut out against a power packed English side led by Eoin Morgan in the first T20I at Old Trafford on Tuesday. It will also set the tone for the summer which will see the top two sides in world cricket battle it out in the next 70 days.
While the men in blue has been a consistent limited overs side during the past decade, England have finally found their mojo in ODIs and T20s, courtesy a group of fantastic limited overs players like Jos Buttler, Jason Roy and Ben Stokes.
The Indian team had an optional practice session ahead of the first T20I against England at Old Trafford. The focus for today’s practice was on the batsmen. All the top order batsmen sweated it out at the nets.
There are no second thoughts as to who will open the batting for India as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan looks certain to start the innings. Both of them batted first at the nets along with KL Rahul.
Captain Virat Kohli skipped the batting session although he did turn up for the captain’s photo shoot with the trophy followed by pre match press conference.
Dhoni is being promoted at the nets ever since he arrived in England. The former captain is seen taking a lot of throw-downs from Raghavendra and Sanjay Bangar. He later faced Siddharth Kaul and local net bowlers.
After Dhoni’s session Suresh Raina and Manish Pandey came to bat. With the length of their practice it looks that they might be in the playing XI in the first T20I.
Next to walk at the nets was Suresh Raina and Manish Pandey. At least for the first T20I tomorrow, both of them looks likely to get an opportunity.
Meanwhile, at the main ground Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled at the wickets next to the one on which the match will be played. The wickets looks to have some bounce and carry as little bit of grass is being left in the middle.
Wrist spinners Yuzuvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav did have an extended session at the nets as both of them were seen rolling their arms.
The practice session went on for close to two hours.
However Jasprit Bumrah’s thumb injury will be a concern as he has played a big role with his death overs bowling. It will be interesting to find whether his replacement Deepak Chahar gets his maiden cap even though senior pro Umesh Yadav looks more likely replacement.
It was the first time since February that a full-strength Indian team took the field and they did well to brush off any rust with most of the limited-overs’ players having enjoyed time off since the end of 2018 IPL.
With Hardik Pandya there as a stady all-rounder, Krunal and young Chahar will have to wait more to get a chance in the team.