Xtra Time Web Desk: The spotlight during the Indian cricket team’s practice session on Tuesday was on Shreyas Iyer. The 24-year-old spent the maximum time at the nets ahead of the game against Sri Lanka on Thursday, November 2,2023. He was seen practicing mostly against short bowling, which has led to his downfall in the game against England at Lucknow.
It was an optional training session for the Men in Blue with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, and KL Rahul turning up. Ahead of the practice session, all the players along with the support staffs was involved in a fun cricket game with local school kids as part of Unicef programme.
Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar and Shreyas Iyer were the first to enter the nets. All three of them spent a long time in the nets. Suryakumar Yadav showcased his trademark unorthodox shots, encompassing sweeps, flicks, and scoops, Shreyas Iyer was intently focused on enhancing his capabilities against the short ball.
Head Coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour was seen discussing with Iyer in between the net session. Shreyas has not lived up to the expectations in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. His best knock in the tournament so far has been 33 runs against New Zealand in Dharamsala.
His dismissal in the game against England, once again highlight his vulnerability against short ball. With Surya scoring an impressive 49-run knock against England on a challenging pitch in Lucknow, Shreyas Iyer’s spot in the playing XI might be in jeopardy once Hardik Pandya makes his way back the lineup in the upcoming games.
Rohit and his boys will have another training session on Wednesday under the lights before taking on Sri Lanka. The hosts are the only undefeated side in the competition and will be looking to make in seven wins in a row.