India vs Bangladesh 1st Test at Chepauk 2024 | Practice Session Highlights

India vs Bangladesh 1st Test at Chepauk 2024 – Practice Session Highlights

As India and Bangladesh gear up for the 1st Test at Chepauk, the practice sessions provided insight into each team's preparations and key players to watch.

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India’s Practice Session Highlights:

Focus on Spin: Given the traditionally spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk, Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Axar Patel were seen spending extended hours in the nets. Ashwin, in particular, was observed working on variations and testing his deliveries on a worn practice wicket.

KL Rahul and Shubman Gill’s Preparation: Both Rahul and Gill were seen taking extensive batting sessions against spin, with an emphasis on footwork and patience. They practiced coming down the track to counter spin and executed defensive strokes to handle low bounce.

Virat Kohli’s Aggressive Intent: Kohli was in his element, displaying positive intent against both pace and spin. He looked solid while practicing drives and pull shots, indicating that he plans to take the attack to Bangladesh’s bowlers in the actual match.

Focus on Reverse Swing for Pacers: Indian pacers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, were practicing reverse swing deliveries, aware that reverse swing might play a role in Chepauk’s conditions, particularly in the later stages of the match.

Bangladesh’s Practice Session Highlights:

Spin Adaptation Drills: Bangladesh batsmen, including skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das, were seen focusing heavily on handling spin. They practiced on surfaces with varying degrees of turn and bounce to prepare for India’s potent spin attack.

Batting Focus on Patience: Tamim Iqbal and Najmul Hossain Shanto spent long periods in the nets against spinners, working on rotating strike and playing with soft hands to avoid the short-leg fielder—a key factor in surviving India’s spinners.

 Shakib and Mehidy Hasan’s Role: Both Shakib and Mehidy Hasan were heavily involved in the spin bowling sessions. Shakib, who is expected to lead the bowling attack, worked on variations to outfox the Indian batters, while Mehidy fine-tuned his flight and accuracy.

Mustafizur Rahman’s Swing and Slower Balls: Mustafizur was seen practicing his variations, including slower balls and cutters. Bangladesh will rely on his ability to deliver breakthroughs with his unorthodox deliveries, especially if the pitch offers low bounce.

Chepauk Pitch Focus: Both teams spent time assessing the pitch, which is expected to turn early. The practice sessions reflected a heavy focus on spin from both India and Bangladesh, indicating that spinners will play a crucial role in the 1st Test.

Fielding Drills: Close-in catching, particularly at slip and short leg, was a key aspect of fielding practice, reflecting the importance of capitalizing on half-chances in spin-dominated conditions.

Both teams appear well-prepared for the challenges that Chepauk presents, with a keen focus on spin and strategic batting to counteract the pitch’s tricky nature.