Indian cricket team holds practice sessions ahead of Test series

Reuters: Indian cricketers sweated out in Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Tuesday (4 August) ahead of the test series starting at Galle on 12 August.

The 15-member team along with the support staff was seen holding practice sessions.

The team led by Captain Virat Kohli arrived in Colombo on Monday.

Indians will play three Test matches and two T20 games on the tour.

India has recalled Amit Misha joining a formidable slow-ball attack to be spearheaded by Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The 32-year-old Mishra played his last test against England at The Oval four years ago.

Opener Murali Vijay, who is back in the team, said that he has got the chance to prove himself.

“Everything put together, four years of wait and then I got the opportunity. Later I was dropped out of the team. A lot of factors happened during those four years, so obviously those were my learning years. Now, it’s my chance to prove myself and add value to the team as much as I can,” said Vijay.

Colombo’s P. Sara Oval will host the second test from 20 August, assuming added importance for being Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara’s international swansong. Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, also in Colombo, hosts the final test from 28 August.

India squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Varun Aaron.

Pix by Dinuka Liyanawatte