The Indian cricket team has begun preparations for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. The first practice session took place on Tuesday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the first Test match, scheduled to run from November 14 to 18.
The session was optional, but players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy participated.
Team coach Gautam Gambhir was accompanied by assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak.
IND vs SA Test: Batsmen practice intensely
Shubman Gill spent about 90 minutes in the nets as he adjusted to red-ball cricket after recent white-ball matches.
Before batting, head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak spoke with him near the High Court End, news agency PTI reported.
Gill first participated in slip-catching drills, then batted in the nets with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Against spin, he first faced Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, where he played groundstrokes and occasionally sweep shots. Then he shifted to pace bowling, facing Nitish Kumar Reddy and some local bowlers.
A support staff member conducted sidearm throwdowns, using a high release point to generate more bounce and pace.
This was followed by 30 minutes of throwdowns on the central pitch, where bowling coach Morne Morkel also bowled.
Fast bowlers’ skill and South Africa’s focus on spin
Among the fast bowlers, only Jasprit Bumrah bowled. He kept a light workload, bowling for about 15 minutes at two stumps and targeting the off stump.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 67 and 156 for Mumbai against Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy, also had a long session on the central wicket. He faced Morkel and throwdowns, playing drives and pull shots.
Sai Sudarshan also batted for a long time. He scored 84 runs for India A in two unofficial Tests against South Africa A.
The team management is trying him at number 3. His best scores so far in Tests are 61 against England in Manchester and 87 against the West Indies at home.
On the other hand, South Africa also practiced on Tuesday. They came after a 1-1 draw against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Captain Temba Bavuma is leading for the first time since winning the World Test Championship final in June.
The full squad focused on playing spin, specifically planning to counter the Indian spinners.
This session was essential for the team to get back into form, especially in home conditions. Fans are excited to see Bumrah’s sharp bowling and Gill’s adjustments. Both teams will field full strength in the series.
