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India’s fielding coach T Dilip revealed that the team has been engaging in some innovative training methods before the first Test match against Bangladesh. Notably, Rohit Sharma-led squad is set to host Bangladesh for a two-match Test series from September 19. It will also mark the beginning of India’s Test season. Before the match, Dilip, in a video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that the Indian men engaged in an intense training session in Chennai.
He went on to reveal that the Virat Kohli-led side emerged victorious in a sub-team competition. The video uploaded by the BCCI, gave a sneak peek of team India’s intense training session on Monday, September 16. In the video, Dilip revealed that the team was divided into smaller teams where they competed against each other. He went on to reveal that their training was divided into two segments, a fielding competition and overall training.
The whole idea was to get everyone together as a team: T Dilip
The Indian fielding coach revealed that the idea behind the competition and training into segments was to get everyone together as a team. He said, "Today the whole idea was to get everyone together as a team where we had two segments - the competition drill, taking in consideration the humidity in Chennai, where volume was less but intensity was there. So we split into two groups and had some mini competitions in catching and the less number of errors in the team won. Virat's team which won today.”
He added, "In the second drill we split two batches, the bowlers and all rounders were split into two stations where outfield and infield catching was done with attacking ground fielding. Today the second group, which was the batters' group, was standing in the slip cordon and short-leg. Overall I would say that it was fantastic, especially keeping the hot conditions in mind. The best part of this group was that throughout all sessions the intensity was great.”
Notably, Dilip is the only member of the staff that India retained from Rahul Dravid’s coaching staff. Batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey were replaced by Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel.
