.jpg)
In preparation for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh, Indian captain Rohit Sharma, along with senior players Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, participated in a rigorous fielding drill session set up by fielding coach T Dilip in Chennai on Monday (September 16). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video showing the players sharpening their reflexes and catching skills under the sweltering heat of Chennai.
India is set to play the first of two Tests at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, starting Thursday (September 19). With the humid conditions in the city, Coach Dilip emphasized that the drills were designed to focus on intensity rather than volume. “We wanted to get the players together and keep the energy levels high, focusing more on short, intense bursts rather than prolonged sessions,” he said.
In the video, it was revealed that the first segment of the drill involved a competitive catching challenge between two groups of players. The team led by Virat Kohli emerged victorious. “We split them into two groups for a competition where the team with fewer errors won. Virat’s team took the honors today,” Dilip remarked.
The session continued with more targeted drills, where the bowlers and all-rounders worked on the outfield, infield catching, and aggressive ground fielding. Meanwhile, the batters practiced slip cordon catching, short-leg, and silly-point reflex training. Interestingly, KL Rahul, typically a top-order batsman, was seen practicing outfield catching, while Dhruv Jurel, the young wicketkeeper, worked on his glove work.
While the drills were intense, team combinations for the match remain uncertain, with Rishabh Pant expected to be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the Test series. The practice session, however, showcased the depth and focus of the Indian team as they gear up for the crucial series against Bangladesh.
