The Indian Test squad was seen getting involved in a fun-filled fielding drill session on the eve of their 3-day practice match against County Select XI in Durham. Under the observing eyes of fielding coach R Sridhar, the Indian players were split into two groups as they warmed up to the first competitive game after the loss in the World Test Championship final. Accoridng to Sridhar, the Indian players were involved in competitive team drills, which comprised of catching, direct hits, and throwing, according to Sridhar.
In one team, the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma were there who were performing the under-arm throwing competition and they took on a side led by off-spinner R Ashwin and the Test specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara. And there seems to have been plenty of banter and fun in the game.
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Sridhar said it was Kohli and Rohit who defeated the Pujara and Ashwin squad by a 10-8 margin, but eth latter teams 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.
Here is the video of the Indian players involved in fielding drills against of practice game in Durham:
Two squads 🤜🤛
Fielding drills 🙌A run-through #TeamIndia's fun drill, courtesy fielding coach @coach_rsridhar ahead of their practice session 👊 – by @RajalArora #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/NXZ4LI0aPR
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 19, 2021
India’s practice game against the select County XI has been granted the status of a first-class game. The players assembled in Durham after having been on a 3-week break during which players had permission of leaving the team hotel.
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Unfortunately, wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha along with backup opener Abhimanyu Easwaran will not be taking part in the 3-day match, scheduled to be commencing on 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 undergoing quarantine after coming into contact with Covid-19 positive support staff Dayanand Garani.
