India v Sri Lanka: Visitors opt for rigorous practice session at Nagpur

The visiting Sri Lankan team had a rigorous practice session at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur recently. While the visitors had a hard day at the ground, the hosts had an optional training session. During the practice, Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella was seen taking throw downs from the head coach. Well, it was evident that Dickwell was trying to master his sweep shots.

Meanwhile, young batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama was seen having a long conversation with senior player Rangana Herath. Samarawickrama is one of the most consistent performers in Sri Lanka domestic cricket but is yet to translate his good domestic form at the international level. The batting coach, Thilan Samaraweera, was very much involved in getting his batsmen ready for the Nagpur Test.

The support staff showed great enthusiasm, and reportedly, the team manager Asanka Gurusinha even joked about it saying “even the three former international players in the support staff – himself, Samaraweera and fast bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake – are fit to play.”

Eyes on Vijay Shankar in the Indian nets

Meanwhile, the Indian team bowling coach Bharat Arun, was severe on the net bowlers at the venue. Bharat Arun tried to pep up the U23 Vidarbha fast bowlers to bowl in sharp lines to the Indian top order batsmen. Amidst all this, the eyes were glued on the new arrival of the Indian team – Vijay Shankar. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder started off by bowling medium pacers to the Indian top order in the nets.

Soon, he was asked to pad up and had a decent batting session. After the batting session, Vijay Shankar was seen having a conversation with team head coach Ravi Shastri. For now, it seems unlikely that he will be playing in the Nagpur Test. If he does, it would be interesting since it is the same venue where his domestic teammate Murali Vijay had made his Test debut against Australia back in the year 2008. Vijay had arrived at the venue from Nashik, where he had hit a double century against Maharashtra at the Golf Club Grounds.