Wicket-keeper Saha resumes training at Team India nets
India’s Test wicket-keeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who had injured both his hamstrings during his team Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL game against Mumbai Indians on Nov.3, was seen back in training with the Indian cricket team at the nets in Australia on Wednesday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tweeted a video of the 36-year-old cricketer playing shots off balls hurled at him by the team support staff using the side-arm.
“Look who is bating in the nets today. Hello @Wriddhipops! Flexed biceps #Teamindia,” the BCCI tweeted with the video. However, there is no official word on his fitness.
The BCCI had, over a week back, said that the decision on his fitness will be taken later.
“The senior Indian wicket-keeper sustained injuries to both his hamstrings during his side’s IPL game on Nov.3. A call on his availability will be taken later,” the BCCI had stated in a press release on Nov.9.
Saha has been picked in the Test squad. The Bengal player got limited opportunities in the IPL, geting just four games for SRH, although he scored 214 runs with two half-centuries in those games. He averaged 71.33.
GREAT TO BE BACK, SAYS SHASTRI: Head coach Ravi Shastri is feeling “great to get back to business” as Team India continues with its preparation for the much-anticipated series against Australia. On Wednesday, Shastri tweeted photos of himself alongside Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan and Shardul Thakur and said: “Great to get back to business - with @hardikpandya7 @Sdhawan25, @imshard, #Teamindia #AUSVIND.”
On Nov.12, the Indian contingent arrived in Sydney where they are currently undergoing twoweek isolation. Following their negative Covid-19 tests, the team started with their training from Nov.14. In order to tackle the pace and bounce on Australia pitches, KL Rahul was earlier seen practicing with a tennis ball.
In a video posted by BCCI, ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was seen hiting a tennis ball with a tennis racquet at Rahul in the nets. The top-order batsman was seen playing the pull shots to deliveries directed at his body and evading or guiding those that are slightly outside the off-stump. Ashwin ensured that the ball did not bounce before reaching Rahul.
Much of the focus during India’s tour will be on the four-test series in which Virat Kohli’s men will enter as the defending champions.
On Tuesday, the team started with its preparation for the Test series which they won last time in 2018-19. Skipper Kohli will, however, take part in only the first Test, a day-night fixture in Adelaide, and ater that he will return to India to be with his wife
Although there was no word on Wriddhiman Saha’s fitness, the BCCI tweeted a video of the Indian wicketkeeperbatsman playing shots off balls hurled at him by the team support staff
Anushka Sharma who is expecting their first child.
TYE IN FOR RICHARDSON: Fast bowler Kane Richardson withdrew on Wednesday from Australia’s limited-overs squad to face India to stay with his wife and newborn son in Adelaide, which is batling a coronavirus outbreak.
Richardson will be replaced by fellow quick Andrew Tye who was part of the squad on Australia’s recent white-ball tour to England.
“It was a difficult decision for Kane to make but one which has the complete support of the selectors and the entire playing squad,” national selector Trevor Hohns said.
Richardson informed selectors of his decision on Tuesday, hours before South Australia announced a six-day “circuit-breaker” lockdown to contain a sudden coronavirus cluster in the state capital Adelaide.
“Kane wanted to remain in Adelaide with Nyki and their newborn son. We will always support our players and their families, even more so given the challenging environment we are in,” said Hohns.
“We will miss what he brings to the team but completely understand and support his decision.”
Meanwhile, Australian players and staff from outside New South Wales had flown into largely COVID-FREE Sydney on Tuesday, several days earlier than planned, because of fears that the latest outbreak could close state borders.
Batsmen Josh Philippe and D’arcy Short were added to Australia’s training squad on Wednesday as a precaution, with the remainder of the whiteball squad due to assemble in Sydney on Sunday.