Debasis Sen, Manchester: It is a rare instance when Virat Kohli skipped a practice session ahead of an international match in recent times. The Indian captain decided to skip the training session on Wednesday, a day before his team’s World Cup clash against West Indies at the Old Trafford. Kohli has set an example as the captain of the side by not missing a single training session (even if it is an optional one) recently.
With the absence of Kohli, the entire focus circled around the former captain MS Dhoni who has come under severe criticism following his slow batting against Afghanistan at Southampton. As he walked into the Old Trafford ground, Dhoni engaged himself in a bit of juggling with a football along with Shami, Chahal and Vijay Shankar. He next walked into the net practice area where he was seen bowling spin bowling to Rohit Sharma. Head Coach Ravi Shastri was seen talking with Dhoni for a few minutes.
Dhoni, not a natural sweeper of the cricket ball, was seen trying the stroke against slow bowlers. Sweep is always considered to be an effective shot against spinners when the conventional shots don’t fetch runs.
Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar seemed to have attained full fitness as he did single wicket bowling for a considerable time with chairman of selectors MSK Prasad keeping wickets during India’s training session on the eve of their World Cup clash against West Indies.
Prasad later also collected powerful throws from the deep as the reserve keeper Rishabh Pant got an extended run at the nets and also practiced outfielding, taking a few aerial catches.
While it’s any indication or not can’t be ascertained as Vijay Shankar has been Indian team management’s first choice and they haven’t shown any intent of changing it.Thursday was the first time when Bhuvneshwar wore bowling spikes and bowled from full run-up as Prasad, a former India keeper, wore the big gloves.
The seamer, who had sustained an injury during India’s victory over Pakistan, seemed upbeat as he spoke to physio Patrick Farhart and bowling coach Bharath Arun.
In fact, Arun made it clear that if Bhuvneshwar is deemed fully match-fit, he will replace Mohammed Shami despite his last-over hat-trick against Afghanistan. However there may be a possibility that India give him rest for one more game.
“Bhuvneshwar’s injury is not of any great concern. It is just a niggle for which we didn’t want to take a chance. And it was also an opportunity for us to plug Shami into the games. But the fact he’s done exceptionally well all goes well for us; it’s an embarrassment of riches,” signed off Arun.