Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

PIX: A perfect day off for Team India

Last updated on: October 28, 2017 18:06 IST

Kohli skips optional practice ahead of series decider

Virat Kohli

IMAGE: Virat Kohli plays pool. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

Captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were among the five Indian team members who skipped the optional practice session ahead of the series decider against New Zealand, in Kanpur, on Sunday.

 

MS Dhoni

IMAGE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni concentrates hard on a pool table. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who played in Pune in place of Kuldeep Yadav, too, did not take part in the afternoon session.

Kuldeep Yadav

IMAGE: Kuldeep Yadav. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

It remains to be seen whether Kohli goes with the same playing XI that played on Wednesday or bring in Yadav in front of his home crowd. The chinaman had a lengthy spell in the nets and so did leggie Yuzvendra Chahal.

Among the batsmen, Shikhar Dhawan went through a long session as he batted in the nets before practising the pull shots off fast full-tosses on the outfield.

Ajiknya Rahane

IMAGE: Ajinkya Rahane tries his hand at bowling. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

India had their nets at the centre square while New Zealand had them placed on the boundary wickets.

Compared to the hosts, the visitors underwent a much longer session in the morning that went beyond three hours.

Both teams hit the nets for the first time since arriving on Thursday.

After the practice, New Zealand pacer Tim Southee said the mood in the team was upbeat ahead of the pressure game.

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.