Internet Desk: Rohit Sharma and fit again KL Rahul would like to spend their most of their time on batting when the World No.1 Indian Test side will lock horns with President’s XI in a two-day warm-up game, ahead of the three matches Test rubber against Sri Lanka.
India’s star opener in the shorter format of the game Rohit Sharma is making a comeback in the Test squad after almost a year. He last played in the white jersey against the Blackcaps in October and was not a part of the team in the Test rubbers against England, Bangladesh and Australia during the home season.
The star Mumbai batsman had to undergo a surgery on his thigh during the ODI series against New Zealand. Coming back from the injury he played brilliantly in the IPL for Mumbai Indians to lead the side to their third title win. He made a comeback in the national side too in the ICC Champions Trophy where scored more than 300 runs as an opener.
But the national selectors specifically rested Rohit for the West Indies tour in order to keep him fresh for the upcoming long season.
On the other hand, Rahul scored six half centuries in seven innings against the Aussies, and he also made a successful return to the squad after recovering from a shoulder surgery, which forced him to stay away from the Indian Premier League, ICC Champions Trophy and the Windies tour.
And both the batsmen will looking at the practice game to spend as much time as possible at the crease to stake their claim for a place in the playing XI in the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting July 26 at Galle.
The practice game at the BRC Grounds here will also be Ravi Shastri’s first assignment with the Indian team following his much-publicised appointment as head coach for a two-year tenure earlier this month.
All the Indian batsmen and bowlers will get a look in and skipper Virat Kohli is expected to decide his best possible combination for the playing XI for the first Test depending on their performances in the coming two days.
The match will also provide Kohli a chance to check his bowling unit, which features the pace duo of Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami who are making a comeback.
Keeping in mind the slowish and turning nature of Sri Lankan pitches, India have fielded a three-man strong spin attack with chinaman Kuldeep Yadav finding a slot alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravinda Jadeja.