Team India resumes training – The Hindu

Some foot-tapping music at the gym, some 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 they 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 was seen bowling a long spell in the nets. “Seven overs and five wickets!” Morkel later said in a jest as he walked towards the dressing room.

While Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair and Yashasvi Jaiswal had long sessions in the nets, Rishabh Pant played a bit of tennis and took some throw-downs, but did not bat, nor did he keep wickets.

Having been in England for more than three weeks now, the team management ensured that the players remained refreshed. “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.

While Bumrah was seen discussing a thing or two with Arshdeep Singh, who injured his hand, and Akash, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and ten Doeschate had individual sessions with the batters in a bit to keep them ready for the long grind.