Virat Kohli’s struggles outside the off-stump continued as he was once again snapped behind the stumps during an intra-squad practice game while Yashasvi Jaiswal made strong claims for a coveted Test cap ahead of the series opener against the West Indies.
Jaiswal’s Test debut is a matter of time but what could be a subject of discussion is his usual batting slot, which is opening or one down, a position that the seasoned Cheteshwar Pujara was forced to vacate.
The two-day training-cum-practice game includes some local club cricketers along with 16 Team India players.
The first Test begins on July 12.
Kohli, whose problems against deliveries on the corridor of uncertainty, is well documented, was out caught at first slip off left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat.
For the practice game, all the top-order India batters have been kept in one team, while the other group has been loaded with bowlers.
Most of the batters retired after playing around 50 to 75 balls with Jaiswal scoring a smart 54 off 76 balls.
Will Jaiswal open or bat at No. 3? With Shubman Gill excelling as an opener in recent times, it is unlikely that he will be dropped down the order. So Jaiswal will probably bat at No.3, unless, of course, the team management turns adventurous and captain Rohit Sharma drops down in favour of a new-look opening pair of Gill and Jaiswal.
Written with inputs from PTI
