Border-Gavaskar Trophy: India brave rain and train to conquer pink-ball demons

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024: Not even a steady spell of drizzle could keep India away from the training grounds in Canberra on Friday. The visiting team was keen on getting used to the pink ball ahead of their two-day warm-up match, starting Saturday. -

In Short

• India trained with the pink ball in Canberra on Friday
• The batters were at the nets despite a steady spell of drizzle
• India lost the pink-ball Test in Adelaide in their last tour to Australia

India are leaving no stone unturned in their preparation to face the challenge of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah cautioned against complacency following the historic win in the series opener in Perth, stating that India would begin from zero ahead of the second Test. The team seems fully committed to embodying that mindset in their preparations.

While preparations with the pink ball commenced during the Perth Test, India are maximising their opportunity to train in Canberra, where they will play a two-day warm-up match against Australia's Board President's XI on Saturday and Sunday.

India arrived in Canberra on Wednesday and held their first training session at the Manuka Oval on Friday, a day after meeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House. The focus of the session was entirely on acclimatising to the pink ball.

Not even a steady spell of drizzle could deter India from training on Friday at the Manuka Oval.

Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who supervised India’s preparations in the absence of Gautam Gambhir, emphasised the players’ determination to optimise their training time in the lead-up to the second Test, which starts on 6th December.

"Part of coming to Australia is that you have to be mentally tough. The keenness of the players you saw batting is a testament to that.

"A lot of times when there’s rain, groundsmen are hesitant to open up the wickets because they’re unsure how the ball will behave. But seeing the players eager to go out and face the new ball, fast bowlers, and spinners was a positive sign.

"In Australia, you generally expect good conditions. It was encouraging to see the team trying to get accustomed to the environment," Nayar said.

India will seek redemption in the pink-ball format after the nightmare of Adelaide in 2020-21, where they were bowled out for their lowest-ever Test total of 36 in the day-night match.

In a setback for Australia, Josh Hazlewood, who claimed five wickets in that 2020 Adelaide Test, has been ruled out of this series due to injury.

India, however, remain cautious and will not underestimate the Australian attack, which will be aiming to bounce back strongly after the defeat in Perth.

SHUBMAN GILL, ROHIT SHARMA RETURN

The highlight of India’s training session on Friday was Shubman Gill, who returned to batting practice and displayed encouraging signs of full fitness.

Gill had missed the first Test at the Optus Stadium due to a thumb fracture sustained during India’s match simulation ahead of the series opener.

During the session, Gill faced bowlers such as Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Yash Dayal. The No. 3 batter tackled the pacers effectively and was later seen executing a variety of shots within the 'V'.

The most promising takeaway was that Gill appeared comfortable with his thumb, although it remains unconfirmed whether he will participate in the warm-up game.

In other developments, captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the Perth Test due to personal reasons, returned to training and was observed focusing on back-of-length deliveries.