TimesofIndia.com in Lucknow: After a rain-affected match in Dharamsala, India’s top-order batsmen, Shabman Gul, Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan And Shreyas IyerDuring the Nets session at Ekana Stadium, the pace went through.Over the course of the nearly 90-minute session, evenly split between pace and spin, Gill, Rohit, Ishan and Iyer ground it to the venue’s two center nets. Shubman and Rohit batted in one net while Ishaan and Shreyas occupied the other. Indian fast bowlers Prasad Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Arsdeep Singh and Prince Yadav played their hearts out in front of Gill and Rohit. Rohit Sharma, who has been under fire for his fitness, Parsed and Gurnoor experimented with chin music. Rohit, who appeared in a hurry in India’s previous nets sessions in Mohali and Dharamsala, managed to negotiate a barrage of short balls from the two fast bowlers.Rohit was injured on the wrist by Azmatullah Umarzai in the first ODI in Dharamsala, but he batted unscathed. However, throughout the session, he never quite looked like he was back in the groove.
India’s Rohit Sharma (AP Photo)
Spin Bowling Coach of Team India Sairaj Bahutole. Allaying concerns over Rohit’s fitness, he explained why the 39-year-old’s experience remains invaluable to the team, highlighting how the veteran prepares for every game as if it were his first match.“Rohit Sharma is definitely an experienced player. He is a champion cricketer and someone who adds immense value to this team not only through his batting but also through his leadership qualities, which has inspired all the boys, including Shubman,” Bahutole told reporters.“Having him in this side is very important. He understands every game and knows what is expected of him and the team. He looks forward to every match, and the amount of work he does is as if he has just started playing.”Meanwhile, his opening partner Shubman Gill looked very impressed. Gill, who scored a silky unbeaten 84 in the previous match, cut, pulled and drove beautifully.
Indian captain Shubman Gill (PTI photo)
Along with the Peace Quartet, Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav Rohit and Gill also had an extended session in the nets. The wrist-spinner, who had not been selected for ODIs earlier, bowled alongside the pacers, although it looks like he will not get a place in the playing XI, with left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey impressing on his debut in Dharamsala.Dubey bowled in the second net, bowling coach Sairaj Bahutole kept a close eye as he operated against Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. The contest between Ishaan and Dubey was interesting, with the left-arm spinner looking to compete. Kishan gave a few strokes of lust, but Dubey kept asking questions.Bahotole made it clear in the press conference that any left-arm spinner who wants to play for India will have to be brave.“It all depends on the situation of the game. If a left-arm batsman is batting and a left-arm spinner is bowling, and the boundaries are low, do you want to take the risk or do you want to be brave and get the wicket?”“The confidence is there. All the left-arm spinners who want to play for India know that left-arm batsmen can be controlled. You just have to give them confidence,” he said.“The more he bowls at this level, the more he performs. He is also realizing how important it is to bowl to left-handers at the right time and read the situation well.”India’s vice-captain Shreyas looked restless against the air spinners. When he switched nets and joined the fast bowlers, he asked Gurnor to hit the back-of-the-leg length over and over again.During the 45-minute session, he worked on controlling his pull shot. Iyer was dismissed attempting a stroke in the first ODI. He even extended his period and asked side arm specialist Raghav to target his ribs. In the next 10 minutes, Raghav was ruthless and Iyer, with an open stance, was completely focused on controlling the bridge. He was beaten once or twice, but stuck with most of them.After a one-sided 25-over contest that resembles a T20 match, India’s top order could face a tough test from Afghanistan’s fast bowlers in Lucknow, where the pitch traditionally offers something for everyone.Recently, Lucknow Supergiants coach Justin Langer described Ekana’s level as close to the WACA. However, from a pitch perspective, this appears to be a more normal strip, where the fast bowlers could take an early advantage before easing into the batsmen, while providing some support to the spinners.
