Trial by spin with a hint of reverse: Inside India's final net session in Colombo

In Colombo, Sarfaraz Khan beamed as he arrived for the final net session. The 28-year-old, who joined the squad as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan, engaged in greetings with his support staff en route to the team bus before commencing the session. The team executed a meticulous plan under the unforgiving sun, with head coach Gautam Gambhir observing proceedings from a vantage point.

Batters played according to the expected batting order, and rotation occurred to maintain concentration. The spin quartet of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, and Saransh Jain executed most of the bowling, while Auqib Nabi provided fast bowling.

The pitch, resembling a Day 4 pitch from a warm-up game, was dry with cracks, making batting from one end increasingly challenging. Variety was introduced through the use of old, new, and semi-new balls. Auqib Nabi, in particular, demonstrated heart in his bowling, while the rest of the fast bowlers rested after a multi-day fixture.

Captain Shubman Gill, recognizing the need for additional practice, went to the practice nets with throwdown specialists and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. The plan involved one new ball and two older balls to prepare the right-handed batsman, Shubman Gill, for reverse swing.

The session lasted over three hours, during which the Indian batters adjusted to the rough surface. They displayed long strides, solid defenses, tentative prods, and a mix of sweeps and reverse-sweeps. The atmosphere was filled with banter, with Ravindra Jadeja showing off his new bat sticker inspired by his pet horse, and Sarfaraz flexing his improved fitness levels.

The Bengaluru boys, Padikkal and KL Rahul, enjoyed each other's company, while the massage table remained busy as players stretched post-session. Before the series opener on August 15, the Indian team spent six days at the NCC Ground in Colombo, engaging in various sessions to prepare for the upcoming series.