But the half-dozen who did turn up for the session were players who will matter the most as India prepare to crack the Ahmedabad code. Some of them are eager for a recall, and some others need to prove their fitness.
Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh padded up simultaneously for what was expected to be a one-on-one for the number six slot, though it’s likely to be a no-contest with Kaif doubtful of figuring in the final equation.
Instead, an interesting battle was simmering on the bowling front.
As Ishant Sharma bowled seven deliveries at full pace, the new ball darting across left-hander Yuvraj and banging into a banner behind the nets, the verdict seemed firmly in his favour before a twist in the tale. Ishant felt some discomfort, mumbled a few words to bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad, who in turn walked up to coach Gary Kirsten to pass on the message. Paul Close, the physio, had a talk with the lanky seamer and, at the end of it all, Ishant picked up his cap and walked away.
Focus on Pathan
Ishant’s possible absence from the second Test against South Africa has shifted the focus firmly on Irfan Pathan. The think-tank has some serious permutations to work out to derive the final XI even though the wicket on Thursday morning is expected to be different from the grassy-cover-on-red-mud look of today. After the Chennai draw, the buzz is that Anil Kumble & Co are having a rethink about the overdose-of-spin philosophy and may revert back to their swing theory. And, as if to press home the point, Pathan got the ball to shape away from the left-hander and curl into the right-hander in the nets.
... contd.
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