Xtra Time Web Desk: In a bid to counter the Bangladesh spinners, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were seen practicing playing the sweep shots during the training session at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
The Indian captain was also seen practicing playing reverse sweeps, a shot he rarely plays in this format. Rohit was seen having a word with Head Coach Rahul Dravid as well.
Shikhar Dhawan too was seen practice hitting a few slog sweeps in the build-up to 2nd ODI. Head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour kept a close eye on the developments.
The Indian batters struggled against the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the first ODI with the former picking up a five-wicket haul. The conditions are set to be on the slower side again on Wednesday.
During the pre-match press-conference Dhawan was asked as to why they practiced sweep shots in the training session. The veteran India opener revealed that the conditions on offer warrant shots like the sweep.
“I enjoy playing sweep and reverse sweep, so good to practice more of that. On these types of wickets, sweep and reverse sweep are very effective. You will see more of it from our batters tomorrow. Even the World Cup next year is in India, spinners play a major role on Indian pitches, so sweep and reverse sweep will come handy. It is part of the preparation for the World Cup,” Dhawan said in pre-match press conference in Dhaka.
The Men in Blue will face Bangladesh in a must-win match to stay in the ODI series. The visitors are trailing 0-1 after the loss in the first ODI.