India’s skipper Rohit Sharma concentrated on taking on Mukesh Kumar, who bowled for at least forty-five minutes to the opening alone.
at the first Test match against South Africa at Centurion, Mukesh Kumar was beaten out by Prasidh Krishna for a spot in the Indian pace attack. However, things have turned around with Prasidh’s below-average performance and India’s demoralizing loss by an innings and thirty-two runs. Avesh Khan was added by the Indian team management to the second Test squad in lieu of the injured Mohammed Shami. Shami was eliminated before the first round had started. The lackluster performance by Prasidh and Shardul Thakur in the Boxing Day Test was the only factor in India’s decision to bring up Avesh, who was in South Africa with the India A team, for the second game.
There was no reason for India to summon Avesh up out of the blue if they did not want to give him the Test cap in Cape Town. That will probably be a straight swap between Avesh and him. What, though, Mukesh? He played in the ODIs and T20Is in South Africa and was the first pick in the West Indies.
With HT, close off the previous year and get ready for 2024! Go here to go there.
Even after India’s optional training session in Centurion on Saturday, the Bengal pacer is still in the running. According to news agency PTI, India skipper Rohit Sharma concentrated on taking on Mukesh, who bowled exclusively at the opening for at least forty-five minutes.
Mukesh was asked by Rohit to bowl a bowl that had an angle from length. Mukesh even questioned Rohit on whether he could return the ball in the manner that the captain desired in a video that a senior journalist posted. “Hawa mein aa raha hai andaar. The captain said to his younger colleague, “Par koshish kar angle se andar laane ka (It swung in the air but try to bring the ball back in with the angle).”
Mukesh Kumar and Rohit’s practise
Mukesh seems to have impressed the skipper, Rohit having explicitly requested that the seamen pitch in the 4- to 6-meter range. He occasionally outhit Rohit’s bat, winning the senior pro’s admiration.
Perhaps as a result of Kagiso Rabada’s deception of him in the second innings, Rohit is paying extra attention to the incoming deliveries. The Indian was opened up by the right-arm pacer who got one to straighten from a length.
He pointed to the nets reserved for throwdowns when batting coach Vikram Rathour offered, “Tu is net pe aayega” (would you like to use this one). The captain answered, “Nahi yehin pe aur 10 minute bat karoonga” (No, I will bat here for another 10 minutes).
The captain appeared to be providing Mukesh advice on wrist position and the length he should hit on a daily basis as he spent more time with him.
Bengal has participated in two Ranji Trophy finals in three years, mostly due to Mukesh’s steady play in domestic cricket.
He did pose the Indian captain some pointed questions that day, and he undoubtedly established his credentials for the Newlands match.
Ravindra Jadeja, who suffered an upper back spasm that kept him out of the first Test, is expected to play in the second and final Test. It is unclear, though, if he replaces Shardul Thakur or Ashwin.
(With contributions from PTI)