Indian bowlers preparing for the Boxing Day Test with relentless practice.
Bowlers, especially Indians, haven't left a stone unturned before the big boxing test which is being keenly waited for. Their gruelling practice sessions go hard on precision, the ability to generate speed and craft out strategies, hence perfecting their skills as ready champions at one of cricket's prime venues. The hard effort in preparation by the bowlers of India to fight back their opponents in an eye-catching Boxing Day test.
As the much-awaited Boxing Day Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) approaches, Indian cricket team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation. The series currently reads 1-1, and the exciting clash on Thursday awaits at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Indian bowlers, in particular, proved their unyielding commitment to duty in an intense net session at Melbourne on Saturday.
Focused Preparation at the Nets
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Indian bowling unit was seen sweating it out with meticulous attention to every detail. The clip highlighted the rigorous efforts of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar as they fine-tuned their skills ahead of the crucial Test.
"There is no substitute for hard work. The relentless effort behind the scenes translates into success on the field. The Indian bowlers are ticking every box as we get ready for the Boxing Day Test," BCCI captioned the post, highlighting the commitment of the team.
"The top order needs to bat well," Jadeja said.
The players, with perspiring forehead and dripping neck, go hard against the nets. Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder, claims that the top order should have done better.
The top order needs to score runs. If they don't, it puts pressure on the middle and lower order, increasing their responsibility hugely," says Jadeja. "As a batting unit, we need contributions from everyone. And if the entire team can do it, we would achieve great results."
Australia, on the other hand, has made a few tactical changes to the team that have responded to key issues. Josh Hazlewood is out of the series due to his injury, and it is very likely that Sean Abbott will play in the playing eleven. The other replacement is Sam Konstas, who replaced Nathan McSweeney for the fourth Test. India has selected a side that reads as full of talent
India has prepared an appropriate mix of old campaigners and rising stars to take part in the series. Rohit Sharma leads the team and Jasprit Bumrah will act as the vice-captain, whereas players such as Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Abhimanyu Easwaran have made their mark. Options with depth in all departments would be created by including players like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.
The team has some experience, with Pat Cummins leading the line and other experienced players like Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, and Mitchell Starc. Sam Konstas adds to the side, and Mitchell Marsh is always reliable.
With both teams being equally poised and determined, the Boxing Day Test promises to be a spectacle of high-intensity cricket. As the Indian team sharpens its skills and Australia restructures its squad, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are gearing up for an enthralling contest in the ongoing battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Australia Squad:
Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head (VC), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
