TimesofIndia.com in Colombo: Sarfaraz Khan beamed when he got off the team bus on Monday. There were greetings exchanged with members of the support staff on the bus before the 28-year-old, who joined the squad as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan, got down to business. After a quick huddle and pep talk, the team executed a meticulous plan and everyone seemed aware of the objectives for the session under the unforgiving sun.The centre wicket, baking under the sun, was ready for a trial by spin and head coach Gautam Gambhir got into a good vantage point to observe proceedings. The batters played as per the expected batting order in Galle and rotation occurred to break monotony and put concentration levels to test. The spin quartet of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain did the bulk of the bowling as only Auqib Nabi was there to do to the fast bowling lifting.On a pitch resembling what would have been a Day 4 pitch of the warm-up game which concluded on Sunday, the Indian team management tried to create an experience similar to what is expected in the upcoming series. The strip was dry, had enough cracks and batting from just one end meant it only got more difficult as the session progressed – just like in a Test match.There was variety in the type of balls used, mixing old, new and semi-new ones. Nabi, in particular, bowled with a lot of heart, as the rest of the fast bowlers – Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna – were given a much-needed rest after the multi-day fixture. Captain Shubman Gill was aware that one fast bowler wouldn’t be enough to give him the desired volume of practice so he went to the practice nets with the throwdown specialists and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
India Test captain Shubman Gill during the nets in Colombo. (Image: TimesofIndia.com)
The plan was simple. One new ball and two oldish balls, be prepared to face some reverse swing. Plenty of deliveries were fired at the right-hander who looked largely in control except for a few balls which rose awkwardly or kept a tad low. Between the good leaves and exquisite cover drives, the shouts of “shot, Gill”, “well left, Gill” kept the mood going before the Indian captain left the area to occupy the centre wicket with India’s No.3 Devdutt Padikkal.Every Indian batter took their time adjusting to the roughed up surface and was allowed to flex their muscle towards the end of their hit. There were plenty of long strides, solid defences, tentative prods and a mix of sweeps and reverse-sweeps during the session which lasted well over three hours. Between the plans, executions and drills, there was enough time for banter too.
Ravindra Jadeja sports a new sticker on his bat in Colombo. (Image: TimesofIndia.com)
Ravindra Jadeja showed his new bat sticker, inspired by his pet horse, and Sarfaraz flexed his biceps to show his improved fitness levels. The Bengaluru boys Padikkal and KL Rahul, enjoyed each other’s company and the massage table remained busy as almost every player got a nice stretch after their respective session.For the last six days, India have been coming daily to the NCC Ground in Colombo. A mix of the multi-day fixture and net sessions – starting at different times – ensured the team is well prepared before reaching Galle for the series opener on August 15. The Indian team is set to reach Galle on August 11 and will have three more sessions before the coin goes up for a toss at the historic Galle International Stadium.
