The Men in Blue participated in an indoor practice in Colombo on Thursday, September 07. This indicates that the preparations for the India vs. Pakistan Super 4 match in the 2023 Asia Cup are well underway. On Sunday, September 10 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the two Asian heavyweights are scheduled to square off against one another for the second time in the competition.
Stars like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer participated in an optional net session three days before the highly anticipated match. The return of KL Rahul, who missed the tournament’s group round due to an injury, was the session’s biggest plus.
Rahul batted comfortably and was observed moving well during the throwdown sessions led by batting coach Vikram Rathour and throwdown expert Nuwan Seneviratne, according to ESPNCricinfo. Given Pakistan’s variable pace assault, the 31-year-old was becoming acclimated to both the right-arm and left-arm angles. Rahul spent the most time in the nets getting ready for his much anticipated homecoming. He didn’t practice wicketkeeping, though, which would indicate that he was actually playing as the team’s proper batter.
Rahul could be seen working on his fitness during India’s practice session, which was shared on X by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
#TeamIndia had an indoor nets session at the NCC in Colombo today. 📸 #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/UhkB64L2Wp
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 7, 2023
Shreyas Iyer, a middle-order hitter who returned to the team in the first game against Pakistan, worked on his short-ball weakness in the meanwhile. Notably, Iyer’s flaw was once more exposed when, after hitting 14 runs off of nine balls against Haris Rauf, he dragged a delivery straight to mid-wicket.
India would be expecting Pakistan’s seamers to do well.
After their poor showing in the first game, Indian batsmen will want to do better against Pakistani seamers. Stunning spells from Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah left the Men in Blue reeling at 66/4. Afridi was the best bowler overall, finishing with 4/35 in his ten overs of bowling.
India’s innings was saved by a stunning 138-run stand for the fifth wicket between Ishan Kishan (82 off 81) and Hardik Pandya (87 off 90), as they were all out for 266. As a result of the inability to bowl a single ball in the second innings due to rain, the two teams were forced to split the points.
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