In the aftermath of India’s disheartening defeat against South Africa in Centurion, the visitors held their first practice session at the picturesque Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. The focus of the session was undoubtedly on Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, who exhibited his intense commitment during the net practice.
Kohli’s involvement extended beyond the batting drills, as he engaged in a detailed discussion with the Indian head coach about the characteristics of the Newlands pitch for a good 20 minutes. The animated conversation included hand gestures, emphasizing the anticipation of bounce that will be a crucial factor in the upcoming New Year’s Test on January 3. The absence of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ravindra Jadeja from the optional practice session placed the responsibility on Kohli and Shubman Gill to set the tone. Concurrently, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul honed their skills in separate nets.
Facing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, and a net bowler trying to emulate the South African pace duo of Marco Jansen and Nandre Burger, who collectively picked 11 out of the 20 wickets in the Boxing Day Test, Kohli and Gill showcased their commitment. Kohli, in particular, stood out with his intensity, comfortably facing Bumrah and Siraj. His front-foot trigger and adeptness in adapting to different conditions were evident, though a significant challenge awaits against the formidable South African pace attack.
On the flip side, Shreyas Iyer encountered some difficulties, especially against the throwdown specialists, sustaining a blow to his ribs. Despite the initial setback, he resumed batting, but a subsequent dismissal highlighted his struggle to time the ball to perfection. In contrast, KL Rahul, fresh from a brilliant century in Centurion, displayed excellent touch and confidence, assuring India of his form.
The bowling department, under the guidance of coach Paras Mhambrey, focused on control, marking specific sections on the pitch at 4 and 6 meters. Bumrah, Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan and Prasidh Krishna diligently worked on hitting these marked areas, recognizing the importance of control in South African conditions. Mukesh, likely to be part of the playing XI, impressed during the session, bowling to the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Shardul Thakur, and consistently hitting the testing line and lengths.
As the Indian team gears up for the Newlands Test, history poses a challenge. India have never won a Test match at Newlands, with a record of four defeats and two draws in this scenic stadium. The battle at Newlands promises to be a crucial test for India as they seek redemption and aim to rewrite their history at this iconic venue.
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