Signs from Lucknow nets: Rohit faces chin music, Iyer practices pull, Gill looks silky, Kuldeep puts on tough yards | Cricket news
Times of India. com in Lucknow: After opening the ODI due to rain in Dharamsala, India’s top batsmen — Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer — went through the paces during the net session at the Ikana Stadium in Lucknow.Throughout the 90-minute session, evenly divided between pace and spin, Gill, Rohit, Ishan and Iyer volleyed the ball into the central netting of the outfield. Shubman and Rohit batted in one net, while Ishaan and Shreyas occupied the other. Team India players Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav turned their hearts to Gill and Rohit. Rohit Sharma, who underwent the scanner to ensure his fitness, was tested with a chin-up by Prasidh and Gurnoor. Rohit, who had looked rushed in India’s previous nets sessions in Mohali and Dharamsala, was able to overcome the barrage of short balls from the duo.Rohit was hit on the wrist by Azmatullah Omarzai in the first ODI in Dharamsala, but batted without any apparent discomfort. However, throughout the session, he never seemed to get back into the groove.
Indian Rohit Sharma (AP Photo)
Indian bowling team coach Siraj Bahutoli Putting aside concerns about Rohit’s fitness and explained why the 39-year-old’s experience remains invaluable to the team, arguing that the veteran prepares for every match as if it were his first.“Rohit Sharma is definitely an experienced player. He is a champion cricketer and someone who adds tremendous value to this team, not just with his batting but also with his leadership qualities, which reflects on all the boys, including Shubman,” Bahotuli told reporters.He added, “His presence in this team is very important. He understands every match and knows what is expected of him and the team. He looks forward to every match, and the amount of work he does makes it seem as if he just started playing.”Meanwhile, his opening partner Gill looked a touch inevitable. The 26-year-old, who scored an unbeaten 84 in the previous match, cut, pulled and led in style.
India captain Shubman Gill (PTI Photo)
Along with the string quartet, The Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav He also conducted an extended session in the network of Rohit and Gill. The wrist-spinner, who was not selected for the first ODI, has bowled alongside the pacers, although it seems unlikely that he will find a place in the playing XI for the second match as well, with left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey making his debut in Dharamsala.Dube volleyed into the other net, with Bahutuli watching closely as he ran against Ishan and Iyer. The duel between Ishan and Dubey was interesting, with the left-hander looking to get the better of the left-armer. Kishan delivered some spirited blows, but Dubey kept asking questions.Bahutoli had made it clear in the press conference that any left-arm pacer who aspires to play for India must be brave.“It all depends on the state of the game. If the left-handed batsman is batting and the left-arm pacer is bowling, and the boundaries are short, do you want to take a risk or do you want to be brave and go for the wicket?”“The confidence is there. All the left-arm players who aspire to play for India realize that left-handed batsmen can be controlled. You just have to give them confidence.”“The more they do at this level, the more they perform. They also realize how important it is to throw to the left hand at the right time and read the situation well.”India vice-captain Shreyas Iyer looked unfazed in front of the spinners. When he switched the nets and joined the players, he asked Prasidh and Gurnur to hit the backcourt repeatedly.Throughout the 45-minute session, he worked on controlling his shot. He even extended his mission and asked sidearm specialist Raghu to target his ribs. Raghu was relentless for the next 10 minutes and Iyer, with his open attitude, focused solely on controlling the traction. He got beaten up once or twice, but he stuck with most of them.After a T20-like 25-team competition, India’s senior side may face a tougher test than Afghanistan’s players in Lucknow, where the stadium traditionally offers something for everyone.
Will the Indian top order handle the rapid offensive in Afghanistan effectively?
Recently, Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer described Ekana’s surface as close to WACA. However, by the looks of the pitch, it appears to be a more typical strip, where fielders can have an early advantage before making it easier for the batsmen, while still providing some help to the spinners.
