Kohli and Gill vs Babar's Pakistan: Here's How They Prepared For the Pace Test

Indian opener, Shubman Gill has been training hard amid the upcoming round 2 of Ind vs Pak clash (Twitter)

The anticipation has reached a fever pitch as fans eagerly await the epic showdown between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. This Super Fours clash at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, September 10th, promises to be a spectacle like no other. 

India has been grappling with consistent issues concerning top-order batters in high-stakes encounters against strong opponents. This problem has been persistent, with instances dating back to the 2017 Champions Trophy final and more recently manifesting in their Asia Cup Group A clash with Pakistan. At the start of the innings, the leading batters have frequently struggled when the team needed them the most.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli faced disappointment in their performances against Pakistan, both falling early to the skillful fast bowler Shaheen Afridi. Nevertheless, even with the top-order struggles, India managed to achieve a respectable total of 266 runs, thanks to impressive half-centuries from the dynamic duo of Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya.

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During the five-day break between the Nepal match and their first Super Fours encounter, the Indian team made good use of their time by conducting focused practice sessions in Colombo.

Virat Kohli's Intense Practice

In preparation for the highly significant upcoming match, Virat Kohli, well-known for his meticulous training regimen, diligently prepared by facing the fierce deliveries of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami during practice sessions. Kohli engaged in a determined contest with Bumrah, who left no stone unturned in testing his former captain during these practice sessions.

Both Virat and Rohit sought the guidance of specialized coaches to practice against various delivery types, specifically requesting different lines and lengths, as part of their rigorous preparations for the formidable challenge that lies ahead.

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Shubman Gill Training

Of particular note, Shubman Gill received significant attention during these training sessions, especially in the lead-up to the crucial match against Pakistan. India held two optional training sessions and a mandatory full-fledged practice session on Friday, and Gill actively participated in all three.

Gill, who has encountered difficulties in consistently scoring big runs since the IPL 2023 season, dedicated a substantial amount of time to facing Nuwan Seneviratne, a specialist in delivering left-arm throw-downs. Gill appears to be determined to prepare himself for the challenge presented by Shaheen Afridi in the Super Fours match, recognizing the threat posed by the left-arm pacer following his impressive performance against India in Pallekele.

Gill provided insights into Seneviratne's role when addressing the media on the eve of the Colombo match, acknowledging that Indian batters have had limited exposure to high-quality left-arm pace bowling.