As India gears up for the highly-anticipated first Test against Australia, injury concerns have emerged with KL Rahul leaving the field after sustaining a blow to his elbow. Meanwhile, speculation regarding Virat Kohli’s fitness has circulated widely, but his performance in the recent intra-squad match simulation at the WACA has offered reassurance. Over the past three days, the Indian team has intensified preparations, integrating their prominent players in an environment that mimics conditions expected in the upcoming match.
The squad’s lineup featured key players, showcasing the team’s star power against an opposing side primarily composed of fringe players and India A representatives. In a tactical move foreshadowing possible changes for the opening game, Rahul opened the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. The match simulation unfolded under capricious weather, characterized by overcast skies.
Rahul appeared to be in good form, confidently tackling short deliveries until he was struck on the right elbow by a rising ball from fast bowler Prasidh Krishna. The impact caused considerable discomfort, prompting Rahul to seek medical attention and ultimately leading to his exit from the field. He did not return to bat during the session as other main batters continued to take their turn at the crease.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Jaiswal initiated the batting on an aggressive note but fell early to a second slip catch off a delivery that led him to nick the ball at just 15 runs. This dismissal symbolized a pattern witnessed throughout the simulation, which lasted for two and a half hours before the lunch break. Kohli, amidst growing reports focusing on his fitness and possible scans, demonstrated his aptitude with exquisite shots played through the covers before falling to a similar fate as Jaiswal at 15 runs, caught by the second slip fielder off the bowling of Mukesh Kumar.
The focus for India’s batters was largely centered on short-pitched bowling, with local club cricketers delivering rapid deliveries to challenge the players. In an additional drill, a tennis ball was used to simulate rapid short balls aimed at the batsmen, enhancing their readiness for high-paced bowling. Observations indicate that the surface at the WACA offered considerably less bounce and carry compared to typical Sheffield Shield matches held earlier this season, yet it provided notable movement off the seam, leaving India's batsmen struggling at times.
Rishabh Pant had his share of struggles against short-pitched bowling. While he managed to dispatch an early boundary through the off-side, he was eventually sidelined after receiving a blow to the groin. He later fell to a quick delivery from Nitish Kumar Reddy, who exhibited impressive performance, claiming another wicket by dismissing Dhruv Jurel through the slips.
At number three, Shubman Gill faced difficulties initially, struggling to assert himself during a two-hour stint at the crease. His efforts improved as he began to settle in, yet he was dismissed for 28 runs after attempting to fend off a short delivery from Navdeep Saini, who jubilantly celebrated the wicket’s impact. The simulation reached a rare moment at the WACA when spin was employed from both ends, provided by Washington Sundar and Tanush Kotian. At the lunch break, the batting side found themselves at 106 for 5 after 28 overs.
In this unofficial match simulation, top-order batsmen had additional opportunities to refine their skills as match situations were deliberately crafted. Jaiswal and Gill, benefiting from newly acquired insights, adopted an aggressive approach initially. However, a more cautious batting method soon prevailed, resulting in less aggressive shots as the coaching staff observed from the boundary.
Impressively, Jaiswal exhibited comfort against fast bowling, demonstrating exceptional command when spin bowlers entered the attack. He concluded the simulation with an unbeaten score of 58. Gill, on the other hand, displayed signs of hesitance at times and finished not out on 42 runs.
As play resumed after the final break, Kohli and Pant took to the crease once again to tackle swift short deliveries from both Prasidh and Reddy. Kohli initially struggled with his timings, frequently playing and missing, but was able to establish rhythm, culminating in beautifully executed strokes, including a pulled shot to the boundary that damaged his bat and required a replacement. Throughout his innings, Kohli showcased no signs of distress, allaying concerns regarding his fitness as he finished up with a score of 30 runs after an hour at the crease.
Pant attempted to counter the short-pitched strategy by advancing down the pitch, achieving mixed results. His innings concluded with him being bowled for 24 runs by Mukesh, marking the second time that day that his wickets had fallen to the same bowler. Jurel returned to the crease and partnered with Akash Deep in concluding the simulation, culminating with a total score of 339 for 8 across 75 overs.
The ongoing simulation is expected to persist throughout the weekend as the Indian team fine-tunes its strategy and skills in preparation for the upcoming Test match against Australia. As the excitement builds, the readiness of the players, especially Rahul and Kohli, will be pivotal for India’s performance in the series.