Focus on reverse sweep, short balls

Kolkata: Facing short balls and playing reverse sweeps against spinners were the highlights of Indian team’s training session as they geared up for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka. The Indian team support staff was seen giving throwdowns of short pitch deliveries as the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, K.L. Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli warmed up for their first training session ahead of the Eden Gardens Test here on November 16.

Rahane was the longest to take the throwdowns that went on for about half an hour. He was seen tested by short-pitch stuff, an indication of what lies in store for the India team when they go for a two-month long tour to South Africa. At the nets, India followed their batting order with Rahul and Dhawan setting the tone, facing alternate spin and pace bowling.

While the Indian left-right handed duo mainly played in the Vs with occasional reverse sweep, Rahane’s stint at the nets was peppered with the unorthodox shot to the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav, hinting their strategy against Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan. Hours after landing, skipper Kohli was seen in full flow during the two-and-half-hour practice. He started off with a few drills like stretching, one-legged jump.