Virat Kohli opts out of practice session at Kanpur along with other key players

With the series tied at 1-1, the action now shifts at the Green Park, Kanpur which hosts the series finale of the 3-match ODI series. According to sources, Indian skipper Virat Kohli skipped the practice session at Kanpur on the eve of the third and the final ODI along with some of the key members of the Indian side.

The other members, apart from Virat Kohli, who did not take part in the practice session were opener Rohit Sharma, pace mainstay Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya who opted to skip the practice session prior to the decider scheduled on Sunday.

It was learnt that even spinning all-rounder Axar Patel, who included into the playing eleven in the Pune ODI ahead of chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, also opted out of the practice session in the afternoon. It will only be known on Sunday afternoon whether Virat Kohli would go ahead with the same playing eleven or go back to his initial eleven in Mumbai was Kuldeep was included in the team.

Tim Southee claims mood upbeat in the team

Both Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal bowled lengthy spells during the nets along with star opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan. As a matter of fact, Dhawan practised his pull shots off fast full tosses on the outfield. Shikhar Dhawan announced his comeback into the Indian team with a sensational knock of 68 which set up the Indian chase at Pune.

According to reports from Cricket Country, the Indians practised on the wicket at the centre while the Kiwis practised at the wickets on the periphery of the ground. It was notable that the visitors did practice for a longer duration when compared to the hosts. The Black Caps practised a session which went beyond three hours.

This was the first time both teams hit the nets after arriving in the city of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Tim Southee claimed that the team is more excited than nervous ahead of the clash.