Hardik Pandya was a proper vibe during Team India’s optional training session in Chennai today. The entire squad, except Shubman Gill, trained from 2 PM in the afternoon but it was Pandya who stood out with his intent and bursts of energy. Right from the time he picked the new ball from the box to his match simulation with batting coach Vikram Rathour, Pandya had a spring in his stride.
The break from the three ODIs vs Australia last month seems to have recharged the battery of India’s premier all-rounder. With the ball, he operated at a very brisk pace and kept Virat Kohli guessing on a very lively practice strip. Pandya persisted around the good-length region and was getting enough purchase from the surface to keep India’s No.3 under check. The duel between the two lasted a good 10-15 minutes and it was Pandya who had the upper hand and looked in a very good rhythm.
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That period where Mohammed Shami & Hardik Pandya tested Virat Kohli has been highlight of India’s training session so far. The corner most practice strip is spiciest of them all. Enough purchase for bowlers who are bending their back. #CricketTwitter #icccricketworldcup2023— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) October 5, 2023
Looking after the body
There were those little moments during the over three-hour training session where one got a sense of how Pandya was looking after his body. Every fourth-fifth delivery, he would extend the follow-through and make the exit into the adjacent net. This way he allowed his body the necessary cool-time during the long spell under the unforgiving sun and ensured intensity remained high.
An opportunity to cool down came his way again when a portion of the net was obstructing his follow-through. When the ground staff was taking the remedial measures, Pandya quickly resigned to the training tent and sat on the ice box for a few minutes before resuming business with Kohli. The two were at it for a few more minutes before finally taking shade and rehydrating for their second respective hit.
Completely switched on
The batting gear was off for Kohli, Pandya changed into a fresh pair of socks but mentally they were still in the session as they engaged in an animated discussion. The hydration continued and so did the discussion. Kohli would shadow a shot and Pandya would then follow up with suggestions. The drill continued before they finally relaxed and geared up for another hit in the middle.
Pandya had a long spell with the ball and after the break, he put his batting gear on and was ready to take on the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami on the spicy strip. Unlike Kohli, Pandya had intent written all over his batting.
The right-hander went big against Siraj from the first delivery and kept jumping out of the crease against the seamers. There were a few mishits along the way but when he connected, the crunching sound off the blade was music to the years. He would change nets and face different bowlers during the long hit with the bat but intent remained the same.
By the time Pandya was all warmed up, the pleasant evening breeze enveloped the training area and conditions were ideal to have a long, long hit. And, Pandya did.
Match Simulation
The session finale was another gripping contest and this time Pandya and batting coach Rathour were in the star cast. Operating with a side arm in a far net, the batting coach gave Pandya different targets – 19 runs in 6 balls, 11 runs in 4 balls – and set his own field to defend the target.
India’s vice-captain would go hard at everything which came his way but wasn’t able to make the sweetest of connections. There were some pleasant-looking shots towards the on-side but the batting coach got the better of him with smart changes in the lengths and typical bowling to the field approach.
“Yes, one”… “ye to do tha”… “shot, two”… Pandya would mutter to himself during the contest before finally leaving the nets.
When the two went hard at each other, coach Rahul Dravid quietly observed proceedings from close quarters and would later offer his two cents when Pandya was done with the hit. A hard and long training day later, the all-rounder cooled down and this time he wasn’t returning to the nets.
He instead took the long walk back to the dressing room and stopped midway to oblige a differently abled fan with a selfie. Drenched in sweat, he was, however, still in the zone and kept knocking his fingers on the bat. The energy level didn’t drop one bit. Even after hours under the sun.
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