Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India’s senior off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had a long batting session at the Zahur Ahmed Chaudhury stadium in Chittagong ahead of the first test which gets underway from December 14. Shubman Gill too was in focus at the optional practice session on Monday. India A Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and KS Bharat also turned up for the optional training session along with Cheteswhar Pujara.
Pujara was seen having a long discussion with Head Coach Rahul Dravid after having a knock at the nets. With Rohit Sharma ruled out, the Indian batting will revolve around the Saurashtra batter.
KS Bharat was also seen going through the wicket-keeping drills along with fielding coach TP Dileep. Rishabh Pant, who went back home during the recently concluded ODI series, has joined the squad in Chittagong. It will be very likely Pant will be preferred over Bharat although the fitness of the left hander has been a mystery.
Shubman Gill who did not feature in the ODIs is expected to partner KL Rahul at the top of the order in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Gill was seen batting alone at the nets with batting coach Vikram Rathour.
The test series is extremely important for Team India, with their hopes of a World Test Championship final appearance hanging in the balance. India needs to win all of their remaining six tests to stand a chance to play the summit clash at the Oval.
It is expected that the Indian team will have a full training session on Tuesday.