Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma team up against Ashwin, Pujara as India engage in fun fielding game
The regulars of the Indian tests took part in a fun training session on the pitch ahead of their 3-day practice match against the County Select XI in Durham. Under the guidance of field coach R. Sridhar, the team was divided into two parts as they prepared for the first competitive exit after the final of the World Testing Championship.
India players were involved in competitive team drills, which involved some catching, direct hits and throwing, according to Sridhar.
Captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were in one team for the under-arm throwing competition and they took on a side led by off-spinner R Ashwin and senior batter Cheteshwar Pujara. And there seems to have been plenty of banter and fun in the game.
Sridhar said it was Kohli and Rohit’s side that won the game with a score of 10-8 but Pujara and Ashwin were not entirely convinced by the result. In fact, the game had to be restarted and Ashwin and Pujara even jokingly accused Sridhar of siding with Rohit and Kohli’s team.
Watch: India players involved in fielding drills against of practice game in Durham
India’s practice game against the select County XI has been accorded first-class status. The players assembled in Durham after having been on a 3-week break during which players were allowed to leave the team hotel.
Unfortunately, wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha along with back-up opener Abhimanyu Easwaran will not be taking part in the 3-day match, starting July 20. While Pant is recovering after having tested positive for Covid-19 during the break period, Saha, Easwaran and bowling coach Bharat Arun have been isolated after coming into contact with Covid-19 positive support staff Dayanand Garani.
It is likely that both Pant and Saha will be available for the first of a 5-Test series against England, starting August 4. The Test series also marks the start of India’s World Test Championship 2021-23 campaign. India lost the final of the WTC to New Zealand in June before they went on a break in England.
