[Watch] Rohit, Jadeja, Jaiswal Prepare 'Rigorously' In Intense Practice Session
Ravindra Jadeja sweats it out in the nets ahead of the second Test (Twitter)
In the wake of their abysmal defeat by an innings and 32 runs against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test, the Indian team has bounced back with renewed vigour, diving into an intense nets session ahead of the second and final Test at Newlands in Capetown on Wednesday, January 3.
The team's spirit, seemingly unbroken by the recent loss and the penalty of two World Test Championship points due to a slow over rate, was evident in a video shared by the BCCI on Twitter.
The footage showcased a determined squad, with particular focus on the Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who are seen sharpening their skills with gruelling batting practice. Both players, having had a disappointing first Test, will be evidently keen to turn the tide in the upcoming match.
Adding to the team's potential firepower, Ravindra Jadeja, who sat out the first Test due to an upper back spasm, was a prominent figure in the nets, swinging both bat and ball. This sighting fuels speculation about his likely inclusion in the playing XI for the upcoming test.
Meanwhile, the Indian bowling lineup, which appeared lacklustre in the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion, is set to be bolstered by the addition of Avesh Khan. Avesh's recent performance in the India A game against South Africa A, where he claimed an impressive five-wicket haul, has been the reason behind his inclusion. His tight spell, including five maidens over 23.3 overs, was instrumental in bowling out the hosts for 263 in the first innings at Benoni.
Despite decent efforts from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the first Test, the Indian attack struggled to maintain pressure consistently. Prasidh Krishna, on his debut, found the going tough, and Shardul Thakur also struggled to contain the scoring rate.
India's bowlers will be aiming to redeem themselves after giving away 408 runs on a pitch where their batsmen could muster only 245 in the first innings, a factor that significantly contributed to tilting the scales in favour of South Africa. As the team gears up for this crucial encounter, hopes are high for a comeback that would level the series at 1-1.