With all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s return delayed after an ankle injury sustained against Bangladesh in Pune on October 19, most of India’s specialist batters rolled their arm over during their first training session in Lucknow on Thursday.
That was one of the striking elements of India’s discretionary night meeting at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. India, who have won their initial five matches in this World Cup, face England on Sunday.
Gill, SKY Started Bowling Practice
Later at night, Gill and Suryakumar Yadav – both have never bowled in ODIs – conveyed off-breaks. While Gill bowled to Mohammed Siraj in a fascinating job inversion, Yadav threw a couple of balls to Sharma and Shreyas Iyer. Yadav had been accounted for an unlawful bowling activity while playing for Mumbai Indians at the Champions League T20 in 2014.
Virat Kohli was the first to try his part-time seam, bowling a few deliveries to India skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. It was only after this that Kohli padded up for a long batting stint.
Indian Batters Working On Their Bowling Skills
It is a pointer to India encouraging their main batters to work on their bowling in the nets. Sharma, also a part-time off-spinner, had bowled in the nets in Pune. Such a move has been necessitated by Hardik Pandya’s unavailability. Crucial as a batter at No. 6 and as a sixth bowling option, he suffered an ankle injury while trying to stop a straight drive by Bangladesh opener Litton Das. Kohli had to step in and complete the remaining balls in Hardik Pandya’s over.
Hardik Pandya Will Miss Upcoming Two Matches
BCCI had said Hardik Pandya will miss India’s down against New Zealand in Dharamsala and join the group in Lucknow, however that hasn’t been the situation.
While the Indian group that won the 2011 ODI World Cup at home had many seasonal workers who could contribute with overs, the momentum set-up isn’t honored with that extravagance.