It has now been more than a month since the forgettable World Cup final but it still hurts like hell.
However, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two battle-hardened professionals who know that it’s important to move on as they sweated it out in companionable silence.
There’s a 31-year jinx in Indian cricket having missed out on a Test series win in the ‘Rainbow Nation’ and in the twilight zone of their careers, both would want to achieve which no other Indian teams could.
While Kohli, who came back from London after a short break with family, joined the training after half an hour, Rohit did look a bit more relaxed after shutting himself off for three weeks.
The two batted in different nets and centre practice strip, and also faced throwdowns for more than an hour.
There was hardly any conversation between them even when they took short breaks in between. Unlike the World Cup nets when there was a mix of both focus and laughter, the only sound that made you sit up and take notice was that of the red leather colliding with the willow.
Coach Rahul Dravid had a hawk eye on centre nets as KL Rahul put his pads on quickly. With Kona Bharat not even bothering to don the big gloves during the first hour, one had no doubt who would keep wickets.
It became more clear with the slip formation when Rahul kept wickets and had young turks Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill for company.
Cricket is piece of life and all present at Supersport Park during the gruelling three hours were seen picking up the pieces.
Amid the silence though, Rohit’s sense of humour remained intact when he joked with a well known Youtuber that “you have got competition because others are here,” pointing out at other journalists, who have come to cover the series.
The first to enter the nets, Rohit and young Yashasvi Jaiswal were seen taking turns while facing Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur for five deliveries each before coming in for next round.
However, the signature Rohit came to fore when he slog swept Ashwin deep into the grass embankments. One knew that nothing has changed as per Rohit the opener is concerned.
As the skipper was in the midst of his first stint, in walked Kohli and had a brief chat with coach Dravid as he watched Rohit’s batting.
After some time, King Kohli walked out of the main arena and padded up for the throwdown nets where Rohit and Jaiswal would join in a few minutes.
“Tujhko pehle jana ki main jaaon (You will go first or should I go),” Rohit asked his younger opening partner who wants the senior to take strike.
One of the throwdown specialists Dayanand asked his skipper, “Dada aapke liye kaunsa bowler rakhein, right arm ya left-arm (Should I keep right-arm or left-arm bowler for you).”
