India vs Australia: Rohit Sharma© Twitter
India skipper Rohit Sharma did double duty in the nets with many fans adding color to the visitors' nearly four-hour net session at the Adelaide Oval Adelaide on Tuesday. With strong indications that Rohit would lower the batting order to allow form pair Yashasvi Jasiwal and KL Rahul to continue opening the Indian innings, the captain showed plenty of determination while facing the Pink Kookaburra. During the session, the Indian team had four nets in the practice arena.
In one such net, Jasiwal and Rahul took turns while Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli were in the second net. It was the third goal in which Rohit was beaten with the inimitable Rishabh Pant, while the last goal was occupied by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar.
According to popular perception, this is India's batting line-up from number 1 to 8, but then the Indian skipper came at least an hour earlier, along with Pant and other support staff.
As usual, Rohit faced a lot of side-arm throws from Nuwan Seneviratne, along with the usual stuff from right-arm specialist Raghavendra and Dayanand Garani.
The skipper made a conscious effort to leave the deliveries at the right length, but if something came up short, he moved on effortlessly.
For the Australia-based Indian fans, the open session was like children being in a sweet shop, given their proximity to the nets.
Bangladeshi fast bowling duo Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar (reserve pacer) looked impressive in the session. As Mukesh moved his deliveries through the air, creating a challenge of sorts for Virat Kohli, Akash asked probing questions to Gill, who looked at ease.
India's new pace sensation Harshit Rana also bowled lively which must have impressed both his 'Guru' Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel.
Topics mentioned in this article
