Mohammed Shami trains with the national team in Bangalore

Despite losing the opening Test in Pune and irrespective of the result in Bengaluru, the Indian team management will feel rejuvenated with the fact that fast bowler Mohammed Shami is on the way to regaining full fitness ahead of the team selection for the 3rd and the final Test in Ranchi and Dharamsala respectively. The speedster was seen bowling at the national team nets. Though no selector was there to watch Shami’s progress, but if he recovers fully then his place is a guarantee in the XI.

Shami has been out of international action since the 3rd Test against England after injuring his knee. He will be eyeing a comeback in the Vizay Hazare Trophy clashes for Bengal though he hasn’t been named among the Bengal probables. Apart from Shami, left-arm seamer Barinder Sran who made his national debut for India in the ODI series against Australia in early 2016 was also seen in action bowling to the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair and Lokesh Rahul.

The pacer has been called up to make the batsmen prepare against a fiery Mitchell Starc who will one of the most potent weapons for Australia in the upcoming 3 Tests. While the visitors had a rigorous training session in the morning, India decided to have an optional net session. Captain Virat Kohli, opener Murali Vijay, wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha, spin ace Ravichandran Ashwin and pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav were given rest.

Aussie all-rounder Mitchell Marsh conceded that the pitch looked a lot drier than the previous day. “The wicket here looks a lot dry with cracks beginning to open,” he said. Marsh played a crucial innings in the 2nd innings of the opening Test in Pune which ensured the visitors set a massive target for the hosts to chase down in the 4th innings.

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“On the wicket like in Pune you had to have a good defence to survive, and for me, if the ball was up I was going to take it on, certainly in the second innings. That’s what I did, and it’s certainly a different game plan. Even though I made only 30 being out in the middle for 80 balls certainly gave me a lot of confidence,” Marsh concluded.