Xtra Time Web Desk: All eyes were on star India batter Virat Kohli during the practice session at the Oval, two days ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia. It was the first training session for the Indian team since arriving in UK for the WTC Final.
Kohli was in great mood as he was seen cracking jokes at the start of the practice session. The former India captain was seen mimicking left arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed to Ravindra Jadeja. Kohli was the first to walk into the nets along with captain Rohit Sharma. He was seen taking throwdowns followed by batting against the likes of Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat and Axar Patel.
The Indian captain did not look at his best as he was beaten on a few occasions against Shami. The likes of Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane batted next. Shubman, who has had an outstanding IPL 2023 season was seen having a long chat with Head Coach Rahul Dravid.
Another key talking point during the practice session was KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan as to who will keep wickets for the big final. Bharat was seen keeping wickets alongside regular slip fielders Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane who was in the gully. The Andhra Pradesh wicket-keeper batter might get the nod ahead of Ishan who also batted for almost half an hour. The wicketkeeper batter from Jharkhand suffered an injury scare as he was hit by a rising delivery from net bowler Aniket Chowdhury while batting in the nets.
As far as the fast bowlers are concerned, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav bowled with full steam. Shardul Thakur, who was seen doing some fitness drills soon bowled in the nets. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bowled in the nets along with Axar Patel. It will be interesting whether both Ashwin and Jadeja is included in the playing XI.
The WTC Final will be special for Rohit as he is set to captain the Test team on overseas soil for the first time, India will be aiming to go one step further through their second straight WTC final appearance against Australia at The Oval, who will be hosting a Test match in June for the very first time.