Virat Kohli surprises KL Rahul with a banana inswinger in intra-squad warm-up game

Team India players landed in the UK on June 3, exactly 15 days before the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand. They had to undergo a hard quarantine for three days then before starting their training. After practising in groups for a few days, the management organised a two-day intra-squad warm-up to access where the players stand ahead of the summit clash.

There was a competitive element attached to it as all of India’s top batsmen who will preferably play were seen batting on Day 1. The likes of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah were amongst the ones who tested them as well. Even Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan managed to test the batters with their lines and lengths in swinging conditions.

The same continued on Day 2 as well. However, during the play, the India skipper Virat Kohli also decided to roll his arms a bit. He came on to bowl when KL Rahul was batting well and much to everyone’s surprise, delivered a banana inswinger. Rahul was also caught off guard with it. He had first taken a stride forward to play a drive but as the ball swung, the batsman was forced to play a defensive shot to save himself from getting dismissed.

Here’s the video:

How many of you guessed it right?#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/7uXkaYaZ3g

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 12, 2021

Pant, Gill and Ishant shine in warm-up

Meanwhile, among the batsmen, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill were the top scorers. The wicketkeeper-batsman played some aggressive cricket smashing an unbeaten 121 off just 94 deliveries. He was also seen hitting a six off a spinner on Day 1 and good form continued on the second day too. On the other hand, Shubman Gill all but sealed his place as the opener for WTC Final with a 85-run knock off 135 deliveries.

Ishant Sharma was the top bowler according to the information provided by the BCCI on its Twitter handle. The lanky pacer took three wickets while conceding 36 runs. Overall, the intra-squad game must have definitely helped the players gauge the conditions on offer and Virat Kohli bowling could be signs of the Indian skipper taking the red cherry in hands if needed during the final.

It's Day 2 of the intra-squad match simulation.

After @RealShubmanGill got a steady start with 85 off 135 deliveries, @RishabhPant17 found his groove with a 121* off 94 deliveries.@ImIshant leads the pack with 3/36 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/YRNsVjweDt

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 12, 2021