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Virat Kohli (Source: X)
An observer of the Indian net session has provided exclusive details ahead of the second Test. The reporter was from the official broadcasters of the series between India and South Africa. Rohan Deshmukh observed the Indian practice session after the players from the visiting side had a forgettable outing at Centurion last year in the first Test of the series.
Deshmukh claimed that many players arrived early for the session at around 9:30 AM. He added that the likes of Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill played at the center wicket and faced six balls each. The likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah bowled to the batters as per the observation of Rohan. It was further reported that the two batters batted for half an hour.
He further added that the focal point was a certain length where the bowlers bowled to the batters. He added that it was a good practice session. Rohan added that the two batters then went to the net session where they practiced for over 20 minutes. Rohan felt that Virat Kohli was focused in the middle. Deshmukh felt that Virat wanted a practice with intent.
'All pace bowlers were asked to bowl at that length' - Observer
In his statement via video conference, Deshmukh claimed that the Indian batters wanted the bowlers to operate on the shoebox. He said that all the pace bowlers were asked to operate in a length which was about 6-8m in length. He added that the likes of Siraj, Bumrah, and Ashwin bowled in the same length for about half an hour. He concluded by saying that even Ravichandran Ashwin bowled at the same length.
Deshmukh felt that it was a focused approach from the visiting side. "Approximately 6-8m length was used. All pace bowlers were asked to bowl at that length. Jasprit Bumrah, and Siraj bowled for half an hour. All the deliveries were bowled with that length. Even when Ashwin bowled, his delivery dropped at one end of the markers. It looks like a focussed approach," said the observer of the Indian practice session.