CHENNAI: A lot happened in India’s nets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday, from Rinku Singh’s absence (he has returned home to be with his ailing father) to Suryakumar Yadav’s two-hour shooting session.
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However, that was not all. As Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan came in to bat in two adjacent nets, Abhishek Sharma, India’s shining light in the top order, opted to bowl left-arm spin.
The batsmen came and went, but Abhishek stayed by the nets, talking to the spinners, trying to understand the twist that the black clay pitch that will be used for the match against Zimbabwe on Thursday could offer.
Finally, after almost 100 minutes of practice, Abhishek took up the bat. He didn’t play against any of the Indian team’s spinners or pacers, it was just the practice bowlers.
Abhishek has been in terrible batting form after taking three ducks to start. In the 15 12-ball shots he scored in Ahmedabad, there were seven false shots.
Given the situation the team is in at the moment, it is very unlikely that they will release him. Probably what the team management was trying to do was allow him to bowl not so well, so that Abhishek could hit his shots and regain some form and confidence. As the nets were folding, Abhishek batted for half an hour and hit, hitting the kind of crisp shots he is known for.
Some landed on Chepauk’s stands as he tried to work on his game against spin, something that has been bothering him lately.
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Rinku is unlikely, maybe it’s Sanju time? Sundar likely to miss out
When Rinku’s absence was noted and news leaked that he had returned home to be with his father, who is battling cancer, the southpaw’s possible alternatives came to light.
Axar Patel should make the team given his versatility with bat and ball. In that case, if Sanju has to play, the only player who can miss out is Washington Sundar. Washington was chosen for the game against South Africa, but he didn’t exactly shine with the ball or bat. Sanju’s inclusion could also mean that Ishan Kishan takes the No. 3 spot, a position he is not exactly unfamiliar with. That could force players like Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav to lose a spot.
Surya works on his reach
Surya’s strike rate hasn’t exactly been spectacular. Against South Africa he scored a 22-ball 18 that set India back. Tuesday’s session suggested he was trying to get the batting range right. He was dismissed several times by India’s frontline players in the nets, but that did not stop him from trying to shoot. ‘SKY’ is clearly trying to come out of his shell and bowling in Zimbabwe on a batting-friendly pitch may give him the opportunity.