India training session highlights in Beckenham: Bumrah doesn’t bowl in the nets, Pant plays a bit of tennis ahead of fourth England Test
Some foot-tapping music at the gym, a little banter, and a lot of laughter—there were plenty of sunshine moments during India’s training session on a rather cloudy and gloomy Thursday at the Beckenham County Ground.
Resuming training after a two-day break, following the heart-breaking defeat at Lord’s, the Indian team looked rejuvenated and relaxed as the players geared up for next week’s fourth Test at Old Trafford.
While K. L. Rahul skipped the session, all three fast bowlers who played for India in the last game—Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj—did not bowl while doing their basic fitness routines.
In fact, Siraj batted for a while as India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, bowled a long spell in the nets. “Seven overs and five wickets,” Morkel later said in jest as he walked towards the dressing room.
As Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, and Yashasvi Jaiswal batted, Rishabh Pant played a bit of tennis and sent in some throw-downs but did not bat or keep wickets.
Having been in England for more than three weeks now, the team management has tried to ensure that the players remain fresh. “It hasn’t felt like a long tour. It’s been exciting from day one, like you get up every morning and you can’t wait for what the next day brings,” Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, said.
“Obviously, these guys are working so hard, especially the guys who are new to the squad, so it’s been a very refreshing tour in that sense,” he added.
Jasprit Bumrah was seen engaged in a conversation with Arshdeep Singh.
| Photo Credit:
PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar
Jasprit Bumrah was seen engaged in a conversation with Arshdeep Singh.
| Photo Credit:
PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar
While Bumrah was seen discussing a thing or two with Arshdeep Singh, who injured his hand, and Akash, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and Doeschate had individual sessions with the batters to keep them ready for the long grind.
“We are carrying 18 players, which is a bit larger (squad size). So, I guess it’s about giving attention and care to the guys who aren’t playing and making sure they get quality practice between Tests,” Doeschate said, adding that going forward, the aim will be to ‘tidy up the little things’ like losing a wicket at the stroke of lunch or tea.
