The focus of India’s training session two days prior to their Asia Cup match against Pakistan was fielding. In order to cut off balls and scoop up captures inches off the turf, players threw themselves around like goalkeepers and dove over the small distances between cones.
Shubman Gill was praised by fielding coach T Dilip at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Suddenly, the vice-captain of India threw himself full length to his left and made a low, one-handed grab.
For the drill routine, Gill and Rinku Singh were paired together, and then Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. The tone had been set earlier by Hardik Pandya, who began a drill that has swiftly established itself as a mainstay of India’s preparation for this UAE tour. Abhishek Sharma was ordered to cover the space between the two cones on one of the first days, and he was shocked by what he saw. Now he was diving right in, just like the others.
With all 15 members of the squad participating in a routine that appeared to be more of a team-building exercise than a fielding drill, the evening had started off on a lighter note. As the players, separated into groups, alternately charged in, caught the ball, and aimed towards dwindling targets—a stump, then half a stump, and eventually an upright roller—Dilip stood at one end, throwing balls. Pandya struck. Shivam Dube struck. Harshit Rana also struck. Oohs, aahs, high fives, and inside jokes filled the twenty minutes.
The group thereafter broke up. In order to challenge Gill and Abhishek, Jasprit Bumrah, bowling in tandem with Dube and Pandya, worked in the nets for nearly an hour in the intense 38-degree heat, extracting difficult bounce even on a level surface. Only after finishing another fielding drill that included catches on the boundary did Arshdeep Singh and Rana get the ball.
As batting coach Sitanshu Kotak outlined India’s objectives for a fluid batting order at the press conference, the fielding drills’ emphasis on intuition and curveball adaptation persisted.
“Sanju has not batted a lot at No. 5 or 6,” Kotak remarked of Samson. However, that does not imply that he cannot. He can bat at any number because of his skill. The captain and head coach will make the decision based on the needs of the squad. He would be more than delighted to bat anyplace.
It was more than just Samson’s message. “Everyone in our line-up is capable of batting anywhere and finishing games,” Kotak stated. “There are four or five aggressive players on our team. Nothing has been repaired. Everyone is prepared for any eventuality and is aware of their duty.
Kotak emphasised that the remainder of the order will continue to be flexible, even though the top three are anticipated to remain same. “We consider particular players for openers and number three. After that, though, everyone is mentally and technically ready to bat at any number. That’s encouraging.
This is nothing new for India.
Axar Patel was utilised as a left-handed floater against spin at the T20 World Cup last year, including the championship match. Since then, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have switched positions in bilateral series based on matchups.
Abhishek and Gill are the only players who regularly partner up to take on India’s new-ball pacers; Tilak, Suryakumar, Samson, Pandya, Dube, and Axar Patel have all batted in the nets in no particular order.
Kotak seemed to imply that flexibility extended beyond the starting lineup. Arshdeep, one of the stars of last year’s T20 World Cup victory and India’s top wicket-taker in T20I cricket, was not eliminated because he did not play.
“Everyone knows that there is no agenda,” Kotak clarified. “There isn’t any personal preference or dislike. The captain and head coach will make the decision and take the action that is best for the squad. Furthermore, I don’t believe that anyone has any doubts. As a result, those who are not participating constantly strive to assist the players. And I believe the team should play like way.
The evening in Dubai had a distinct theme. Dilip’s suggestion that catching become a “habit” reflected Kotak’s idea of roles that aren’t strictly defined. India hopes that both will be instinctive when they face Pakistan.
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