Gargi Raut in Leeds
The all-important five-match Test series between India and England is all set to begin tomorrow at Headingley in Leeds. Both teams have already begun their preparations, and the first practice session suggested different approaches by the two teams.
Team India, under its new captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gauatm Gambhir, who returned after a short trip to India owing to a personal emergency, kicked off things with a morning training session that lasted nearly four hours. It wasn’t a light hit-out by any means, the team trained with intensity and focus and the batters were rotating through the nets, bowlers pushed hard and fielding and catching drills showed sharpness and energy. It was clear from the get-go that the Indian team is approaching this series with serious intent.
England followed up in the afternoon. Their session, in comparison to the Indian team, was more relaxed. But while the overall session looked pretty laid by in the first hour or so, one player stood out with his intense practice, Ben Stokes.
Stokes was the first to walk into the nets, where he began with throwdowns, especially targeting short-pitched deliveries , clearly preparing for what India’s pace attack might throw at him in Leeds, with the wicket having up to 7-8 mm grass. He was later joined by a left-arm spinner, simulating the threats of India’s two left arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, as he faced deliveries from both in quick succession.
After taking turns with the throwdown and the spin deliveries for almost 30 minutes, Stokes moved to the adjacent nets, he focused on his defence, worked on his timing and punished all loose balls, all under the harsh afternoon sun. It was a solo session that lasted close to an hour, with Stokes showing no signs of taking it easy.
While both teams still have one more practice session before the first ball is bowled, the tone is already being set. India look sharp, united, and intense. England may be easing into the series but with Ben Stokes leading by example, the fire is clearly there.