As the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023 draws closer, the Indian cricket team has left no stone unturned in their preparation for the tournament. The first practice session for the Indian team commenced on August 25, 2023, at Alur, setting the stage for their journey in the upcoming Asia Cup. Led by skipper Rohit Sharma, the team is gearing up to face the challenges that lie ahead in the tournament, with their first match against Pakistan scheduled for September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy.
In a strategic move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) enlisted 15 net bowlers to aid the Indian team in their practice sessions. Notably, net bowlers such as Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, Kuldeep Sen, Sai Kishore, Rahul Chahar, and Shams Mulani were among those supporting the squad’s preparations.
Following their triumphant 2-0 victory in the ODI series against Ireland, Jasprit Bumrah and his compatriots will be rejoining the team on August 26. The inclusion of Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna in the Asia Cup 2023 squad adds firepower to India’s bowling arsenal.
Wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, who had been nursing an injury since IPL 2023, returned to the practice ground. His net session featured spells against the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Sai Kishore, and Kuldeep Yadav. The team management is closely monitoring Rahul’s performance and fitness post-injury, hoping to ensure he is fully ready for the challenges ahead.
During practice, the players paired up to simulate match scenarios, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, as well as Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja engaging in batting sessions lasting around an hour each.
A significant highlight of the practice session was Virat Kohli’s solitary session against spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Sai Kishore. Given Kohli’s past challenges against spinners, particularly leg-spinners, this focused practice is expected to enhance his confidence while facing spin bowling during the Asia Cup 2023 and the subsequent World Cup 2023.
With a formidable squad that boasts the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, Team India is leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of success in the Asia Cup 2023.
