Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja hit nets as India begin preparation for Boxing Day Test

By
Babita Sarkar
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Melbourne: Determined to leave behind the lowest Test score in the series opener, the Indian team began preparations for the Boxing Day Test as they had their first training session on Wednesday (December 23) morning at the Melbourne cricket ground.

Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja were among others seen grinding it out during a net session. The official Twitter handle of the BCCI shared multiple pictures and videos in which the players were seen polishing their skills ahead of the second Test.

Gill, who was not considered for the opening Test despite scoring well in the pink-ball warm-up match, had a long batting session at the nets and the young batsman looked in fine touch. The 21-year-old along with Mayank Agarwal honed his skills in the nets. The duo could be the opening for India in the second Test.

All-rounder Jadeja, who had missed the first Test due to concussion, also landed on the nets session at Melbourne. Jasprit Bumrah and Cheteshwar Pujara were also spotted in the nets. 

The practice session began with head coach Ravi Shastri giving a pep talk to the team members, who stood in a circle. “We are in Melbourne and now as the red-ball Tests start, it is time to regroup. #TeamIndia,” BCCI wrote.

India will look to bounce back when they take on Australia in the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Saturday (December 26). Without skipper Virat Kohli, who has headed back home on paternity leave, and Mohammed Shami, who has been ruled out due to a fracture, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane will now have to take the challenge to not only lead the team but also motivate them to focus.

Meanwhile, Australia suffered a major blow as their star batsman David Warner will miss the Boxing Day Test after he failed to shake off the groin injury that kept him out of the opening fixture.

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