In a curious yet calculated move, India’s young batters Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel went old-school during a nearly three-hour optional net session at Eden Gardens on Monday, by facing spin bowling with only one pad on. This unconventional training method, while inherently risky, underscored their dedication to refining technique amid the team’s recent struggles on turning tracks.
This practice came in the wake of India’s shock batting collapse in the first Test against South Africa, where they failed to chase a modest target of 124 and lost by 30 runs on a spin-friendly Eden Gardens pitch. With a possible debut looming for Sudharsan in Guwahati due to Shubman Gill’s injury concerns, the young left-hander appeared particularly committed to sharpening his game.
Sudharsan removed his front pad—his right leg protection—to ensure that the stride forward came with intent and precise bat alignment rather than reflexive leg defence. Without the pad, any misjudgment risked a painful blow or even a fracture, especially against left-arm and off-spinners targeting the front pad for LBW traps.
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This drill rekindled an old coaching philosophy: forcing the batter to trust the bat over the pad, an approach seldom practiced in modern cricket but crucial for negating spin. The trend among Indian left-handers in recent years has been to retreat to the back foot against spin, often misreading deliveries out of the hand.
One Pad Off, India Batters Adopt Unique Approach Against Spinners In Practice Sessionhttps://t.co/YL3JmhI7pa
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Coaches believe this one-pad method encourages decisive front-foot play and reduces the tendency to get stuck in the crease. Dhruv Jurel, meanwhile, worked without his right pad while perfecting his reverse sweep, the stride crucial for balance and execution of the risky stroke.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir watched Sudharsan closely, offering tactical insights along with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Though Sudharsan’s struggles against pace were apparent—with Akash Deep repeatedly beating his outside edge—the coaching staff seemed invested in his adaptability ahead of the second Test.
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Ravindra Jadeja, the senior pro in attendance, added weight to the session with a lengthy batting stint, signalling the team’s focus on recalibration. Only six players attended the optional training, reflecting a quiet but serious atmosphere as India looks to reset and respond strongly in Guwahati.
