Xtra Time Web Desk: With just a day to go for the much-anticipated ICC World Test Championships Final, the Indian cricket team underwent last-minute preparations at the Oval on Monday. Rohit Sharma The and his boys had an optional training session with the likes of Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Suryakumar Yadav not turning up. Captain Rohit Sharma was seen arriving at the Oval in a cab as he had to attend an ICC event. The Indian captain was seen walking straight to the middle to have a look at the wickets. He was later seen observing the proceedings.
The most notable point on Monday’s training session was off spinner Pulkit Narang having an extended bowling in the Indian nets. The cricketer from Delhi was seen bowling to Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and other Indian batters in order to prepare well against Nathan Lyon.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma took only throwdowns while star batter Virat Kohli batted twice at the nets. Virat, who has been in tremendous form in recent times, batted with confidence at the nets. He was seen taking throwdowns first followed by facing the likes of left arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat and Mohammed Shami. Shubman Gill was the first to walk into the nets along with Virat. Gill batted for almost thirty minutes, facing the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
There was a slight concern as Cheteshwar Pujara got hit on his finger. After being attended by the medical staffs the Sourashtra batter walked back into the nets. Ajinkya Rahane looked confident in the nets and the Mumbaikar will look forward to make a successful comeback in the test format for India.
A lot of emphasis was given to slip catching as Head Coach Rahul Dravid and fielding coach TP Dileep was seen giving practice to Rahane, Pujara and later Virat and Shubman.
India will take on Australia at the Oval in the much-awaited WTC final from June 7 to 11.