NEW DELHI: In an electrifying practice session, Indian cricket fans were treated to a rare ‘battle of the GOATs’ as Rohit Sharma faced paceman Jasprit Bumrah in the nets ahead of the pink-ball Test, starting on December 6 in Adelaide on Tuesday.
The Indian captain, known for his elegant yet destructive batting, was tested by Bumrah’s searing pace during the net session.
The session was intense with Virat Kohli, Yashavi Jaiswal sweating it out at the nets along with skipper Rohit.
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Preparing for his maiden Day/Night Test, India’s experienced batsman KL Rahul has observed distinct characteristics of the pink Kookaburra ball, noting its increased velocity, stronger impact while fielding, and challenging visibility when facing bowlers.
Following his impressive 77-run contribution in India’s recent 295-run Test victory in Perth, Rahul is diligently practising to enhance his performance in Australia.
“The ball seems a bit more harder than the red ball and while fielding also, you can feel the ball hit your hands a lot quicker and harder,” Rahul, a veteran of 54 Tests, told mediapersons on Wednesday.
KL Rahul Press Conference ahead of 2nd Test
“Same with batting, it seems to get to you much quicker than the red ball and does seam around a bit more than the red ball.
“That’s the challenge we are looking forward to. Since this is my first Pink ball game I am going in with a clean slate, go there and see what comes my way.”
The team discussions have highlighted difficulties in spotting the glossy pink ball during delivery.
“If you look at the pink ball, it tells you that it hasn’t lasted a long time and there will be a lot of help for the fast bowlers and that we had in Perth on day one also, a lot of seam movement,” he noted.
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