Xtra Time Web Desk: It looks like Arshdeep Singh might get a nod in the playing XI for Team India’s opener against Pakistan. The left arm seamer bowled for a long session at the nets on Tuesday under the watchful eyes of stand in Head Coach VVS Laxman and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. Arshdeep was seen bowling to all the top four Indian batters Rohit, KL Rahul, Virat and Suryakumar. The fast bowler from Punjab was very impressive as he beat the Indian captain and KL Rahul quite a few times.
The players from the recently concluded ODI series in Zimbabwe joined the training session on Tuesday. The practice session began with light warm up followed by fitness drills. Laxman was seen having a long chat with Rohit, suggesting a thing or two. In fact, the former India cricketer also had a chat with Virat. Both Rohit and Virat used these net sessions to get back to form. Rahul had an ordinary series in Zimbabwe while Kohli has been out of form for a long time in international cricket.
Rohit and KL Rahul were the first to walk out to bat at the nets followed by Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik walked in next to bat. Interestingly Karthik was also seen practicing keeping as Pant did not come for training at the ICC academy.
The squad was also assisted by two net bowlers: Punjab’s left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar and Madhya Pradesh’s Kuldeep Sen.
Kohli looked in great touch in the nets as he middled every ball. He was particularly aggressive against the spinners – Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzuvendra Chahal.
Unlike Kohli, Rohit’s session was shorter and was over when he felt good Suryakumar and Dinesh Karthik then took over. Suryakumar batted in his typical 360-degree manner, swatting length balls to long-on, scooping short-of-length deliveries over the wicketkeeper, and ramping short deliveries on the stumps over the cordon.
Another noticeable thing at the Indian practice was Deepak Chahar bowling in perfect rhythm, hitting the recent rumours about injury for a six.
The Indian team will be back at the ICC academy on Wednesday for their third practice session at the venue ahead of the marquee clash against arch rivals Pakistan on Sunday.