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On the eve of the pivotal third Test against England, select members of the Indian cricket team engaged in an intense preparation session in Rajkot on Wednesday (February 14). Notably, India's captain, Rohit Sharma, opted out of batting practice, while several key batters honed their skills against net bowlers, and the team's bowlers chose to sit out the session.
Here are five critical insights from Team India's practice session in Rajkot that fans should know:
Focused batting practice for Team India ahead of crucial 3rd Test
In anticipation of the third Test on February 15, Wednesday, the younger contingent of India's batting lineup dedicated time to refining their technique during the practice session. Given the series' current 1-1 standing, the performance of Indian batters, with the exception of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, has been under scrutiny for their inability to score significant runs and protect their wickets. A concerted effort from the batting unit is imperative for India to assert dominance in the series.
Diligent Preparation by 5 Indian Batters
A total of five Indian batters were observed diligently working on their batting a day prior to the Test. This group included opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill known for his elegance at the crease, wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat, the right-handed Rajat Patidar, and Devdutt Padikkal, who steps in as KL Rahul's replacement.
Indian Bowlers opt out of Wednesday's practice
In a strategic move, India's bowling squad, encompassing both pacers and spinners, abstained from participating in Wednesday's practice session, allowing the batters to focus on their preparation without the team's primary bowlers.
Batters face Off against local talent
With the Indian bowlers absent, the batters who took part in the session faced deliveries from local bowlers, providing a different challenge. Even Mohammed Siraj, who recently rejoined the team, did not bowl during this session.
Strategic discussion between coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Ajit Agarkar
A significant conversation took place between head coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Ajit Agarkar while the training session was underway. This follows a similar extensive discussion that involved captain Rohit Sharma, Dravid, and Agarkar after the second Test in Visakhapatnam, indicating strategic planning and decision-making at the highest levels.
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