Team India usually have optional training sessions on game-eve where most of the regulars aren’t present. For both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill though, the term “optional” has rather been non-functional so far in this Test series against England.
Following an intense period of training on Tuesday, the duo had another solid session taking throw-downs and facing net bowlers during India’s optional session on the eve of the third Test beginning on Thursday. Head coach Rahul Dravid, too, had a word or two with both during the session.
Given the current condition of this Indian batting line-up, in the absence of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, the onus is massively on the top three — captain Rohit Sharma, his opening partner Jaiswal and No.3 Gill — to take good care of the team’s batting at least in this third Test. Particularly, as the middle-order lacks international experience.
Set to feature Rajat Patidar, who’s just a Test old and possibly Sarfaraz Khan, who
would then be making his international debut, the middle order doesn’t inspire much confidence although all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s return does bring in some relief to the camp. The kind of intense training at wicketkeeping and batting young Dhruv Jurel has had over the last couple of days doesn’t rule out his debut either.
Rohit and Co., however, can draw inspiration from that unforgettable Brisbane Test three years ago, where a depleted India had upstaged Australia at full strength. But the circumstances here are different.
In Visakhapatnam, beating England and restoring parity was possible because
of Jaiswal and Gill’s game-defining contributions, with their three-figure scores, alongside Jasprit Bumrah’s crucial spells.
With skipper Rohit far from being at his best, India’s prospects of posting a sizeable total rely a great deal on Jaiswal and Gill. For Gill, it was an extended nets session as he batted for an extra few minutes even as India were winding up.
Faith in newcomers
With England bolstering their bowling by bringing pacer Mark Wood back in the XI in place of off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, the performance of India’s top three assumes more importance. The hosts though seem to be having some faith in the likes of Patidar and Sarfaraz as they have both had successful first-class careers.
“All these new boys are coming into the side on the back of playing a lot of first-class cricket. It’s not that they are in after one or half a season,” Jadeja said.
“These are seasoned players. They know how to play long innings... Besides, such a transition is inevitable, whether it comes after two years or five. It’s also good for them that they are getting an opportunity in home conditions and will be able to set themselves in.”
