Umran Malik bowled late during India’s opening practice session ahead of the T20I series against South Africa, but his fellow bowler Arshdeep impressed more with his yorker skills. However, both these young players may have to wait for a place in the team due to the presence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan. Avesh troubled Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer with his yorker.
The KL Rahul-led team sweated it out in the evening session under the supervision of coaches Rahul Dravid and Paras Mahambre. During this session, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant made good shots on Umran’s fast deliveries. Young Arshdeep bowled the shots first, but later practiced his yorkers more accurately under the supervision of bowling coach Mahambre.
Mahambre gave this advice to Arshdeep – Mahambre put gloves on the crease in front of the middle wicket and a bottle in front of the wide line and Arshdeep had to target both of them on different balls. Arshdeep was asking the coach after bowling, ‘Okay?’ On which Mahambre advised him to focus on the length rather than the direction of the ball.
Harshal, Hardik and Chahal took rest – Generally fast bowlers do not practice for long in summer conditions, but Arshdeep and Umran practiced for longer. The Indian pace in the series will be led by Bhuvneshwar, who barely bowled 15 minutes. Harshal Patel, Hardik Pandya and Yuzvendra Chahal took rest during the team session.
The Indian team did not practice with the wet ball – usually the bowlers who bowl more before the match do not get a chance in the team. Returning to the team, Dinesh Karthik, 36, practiced his ‘lap scoop’ and ‘reverse scoop’ shots with throwdown experts. However, in the presence of the team’s vice-captain Pant, he will find it difficult to get a chance in the playing XI. DDCA groundsmen said that there would be dew in the ground after 8 pm, but the Indian team did not practice with the wet ball.