Whether it’s a Test match, an intra-squad match simulation or a net session - Rishabh Pant knows only one way to deal with the spinners and that is to hit them out of the park. Pant continued his preparation for the World Test Championship (WTC) final in an attacking manner. In India’s net session on Tuesday, Pant hit Ravindra Jadeja for a six.
The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman who had smashed a swashbuckling hundred in the intra-squad match simulation a couple of days ago, brought out the slog sweep to hit a flighted delivery from Jadeja over deep mid-wicket.
BCCI shared the glimpses of India’s practice session ahead of the WTC final against New Zealand, starting on June 18 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
In the video, Pant was also seen playing defensive pushes off Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.
{{/usCountry}}In the video, Pant was also seen playing defensive pushes off Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.
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Pant was the lone centurion in the intra-squad batsmen vs bowlers match. The left-hander scored 121* off 94 balls on Day 1 of the match.
Apart from Pant, captain Virat Kohli was the focal point in the net session on Tuesday. The Indian captain was seen batting against throwdown specialists. He was seen practicing against the fuller length balls and also the odd bouncers under the watchful eyes of batting coach Vikram Rathour.
Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane too batted for long against the likes of Shami, Ishant and Jadeja.
Bowling coach Bharat Arun seemed impressed by the way premier India fast bowlers were prepping up for the summit clash.
The Indian cricket team had landed in Southampton on June 3 and after that, every member of the touring contingent underwent three days of mandatory hard quarantine.
India’s opponents New Zealand meanwhile landed in Southampton on Tuesday and entered the bio-bubble.
The Kiwis also named their 15-member squad for the final. Captain Kane Williamson and wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling who had missed the second Test against England due to injuries were declared fit to play in the WTC final.