After a rain-curtailed match in Dharamsala, India's top-order batters Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer went through the paces during a net session at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
Throughout the 90-odd-minute session, split equally between pace and spin, the quartet ground it out at the two centre nets. Shubman and Rohit batted in one net, while Ishan and Shreyas occupied the other.
Rohit Sharma's fitness under scanner
India pacers Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav bowled their hearts out to Gill and Rohit. Rohit Sharma, who has been under the scanner for his fitness, was tested with chin music by Prasidh and Gurnoor. Rohit, who looked hurried in previous net sessions in Mohali and Dharamsala, managed to negotiate the short-ball barrage from the two pacers.
Rohit was hit on the wrist by Azmatullah Omarzai in the first ODI in Dharamsala, but he batted without any visible discomfort. However, throughout the session, he never quite looked like he was back in the groove.
Bowling coach backs Rohit's experience
Team India's bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule brushed aside concerns over Rohit's fitness and 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.
"Rohit Sharma is definitely an experienced player. He is a champion cricketer and someone who adds immense value to this team, not only with his batting but also through his leadership qualities, which rub off on all the boys, including Shubman," Bahutule told reporters.
"Having him in this side is very, very important. He understands each game and knows what is expected of him and from the team. He looks forward to every match, and the amount of work he puts in is as if he has just started playing," he added.
Shubman Gill in imperious touch
Meanwhile, his opening partner Shubman Gill looked in imperious touch. Gill, who scored a silky unbeaten 84 in the previous fixture, cut, pulled and drove with elegance.
Alongside the pace quartet, chinaman Kuldeep Yadav also had an extended session in Rohit's and Gill's net. The wrist-spinner, who was not picked for the first ODI, bowled in tandem with the pacers, although it appears unlikely that he will find a place in the playing XI, with left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey impressing on debut in Dharamsala.
Dubey bowled in the other net, with bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule keeping a close watch as he operated against Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. The duel between Ishan and Dubey was interesting, with the left-hander looking to take on the left-arm spinner. Kishan struck a few lusty blows, but Dubey kept asking questions.
Left-arm spinners urged to be brave
Bahutule had made it clear in the press conference that any left-arm spinner aspiring to play for India would have to be brave.
"It all depends on the situation of the game. If a left-handed batter is batting and a left-arm spinner is bowling, and the boundaries are short, would you want to take the risk or would you want to be brave and go for the wicket?"
"The confidence is there. All the left-arm spinners aspiring to play for India are aware that left-handed batters can be controlled. You just have to give them confidence," he said.
"The more they bowl at this level, the more they will perform. They are also understanding how important it is to bowl to left-handers at the right time and to read the situation well."
Shreyas Iyer works on pull shot
India vice-captain Shreyas Iyer looked untroubled against the spinners. When he switched nets and joined the pacers, he asked Prasidh and Gurnoor to repeatedly hit a back-of-a-length area.
Throughout the 45-minute session, he worked on controlling his pull shot. Iyer had been dismissed attempting the stroke in the first ODI. He even extended his stint and asked sidearm specialist Raghu to target his ribs. Raghu was merciless over the next 10 minutes and Iyer, with an open stance, focused solely on controlling the pull. He was beaten once or twice, but connected with most of them.
Ekana pitch offers something for everyone
After a 25-overs-a-side contest that resembled a T20 fixture, India's top order could face a sterner examination from the Afghanistan pacers in Lucknow, where the pitch traditionally offers something for everyone.
Recently, Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer described the Ekana surface as being close to the WACA. However, by the look of the pitch, it appeared to be a more typical strip, one where the pacers could enjoy an early advantage before it eased out for the batters, while still offering some assistance to the spinners.
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About the Author: Pratyush Raj is a cricket journalist with TOI Sports, specializing in all things cricket, both on and off the field. He began his career with the Business Standard before following his passion as a sports reporter for the Times of India in Chandigarh. Pratyush has also contributed to the sports coverage of India Today Group and his last stint was with The Indian Express. His love for sports was nurtured during his upbringing in flood-prone Saharsa, a district in North Bihar, where Cricket Samrat was his constant companion.
