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Xtra Time Web Desk: It was a wake-up call for the Indian cricket team, losing the Super 4 game to Bangladesh on Friday ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 final. The Indian team management rested as many as five players including the likes of Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav for the inconsequential game against Bangladesh. Rohit and his boys will face Sri Lanka in the summit clash at the R Premadasa stadium on Sunday.

Being rested for the match, Virat and Hardik chose to spend some time at the nets during the game against Bangladesh. The star duo batted for about 40 minutes. Initially, Kohli started practicing alone, and for the first 10 minutes, he practiced without protective gear. During this time, Hardik asked him whether they should practice together or separately. Virat chose to practice together, so after 10 minutes, he put on his protective gear and began batting properly. The Indian team's throw-down specialist and batting coach, Vikram Rathore, were also present during Virat's practice session.

During Virat's 40-minute batting session, he faced throwdowns from Raghu from Vikram Rathore. He looked in great touch, middling the ball with confidence. Only once he was beaten by a delivery from Kuldeep Yadav.

After Virat finished his practice, Hardik continued batting, which lasted for approximately for half an hour. During this time, he asked Raghu to bowl back of a good length or short deliveries while the other bowlers were delivering overpitched balls.

Both Virat and Hardik are in fine form with the bat in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Virat scored a scintillating unbeaten hundred against Pakistan in the Super 4 game while Hardik too was in great touch with the bat in the first group league game against the arch rivals. Team India fans will be hoping the star duo make valuable contributions in the final against Sri Lanka on Sunday at the R Premadasa stadium.