India’s Test veteran Ajinkya Rahane and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant on Monday took help from former cricketer Vinod Kambli in the nets in Mumbai as they prepare for this month’s tour of South Africa.
Kambli, who played 17 Tests for India from 1993 to 1995, gave some batting tips to Rahane, who has been battling for runs in red-ball cricket for the past few years.
Rahane also lost his vice-captaincy to Rohit last week after another disappointing series with the bat against New Zealand at home. Rohit, however, was ruled out of the three Tests in South Africa on Monday due to a hamstring injury, leaving the position currently vacant.
Rahane has averaged just over 17 in Tests this year but it is expected that he could change things in South Africa if he is included in the playing XI.
He trained in Mumbai with Pant along with Kambli and his son Cristiano, who has been one of India’s prolific run-getters in Tests this year and averages just over 41 with the bat.
“Happy helping train Ajinkya and Rishabh for the upcoming South Africa series. Shared some valuable insights with them about the conditions in South Africa. Wishing them all the best for the #SAvIND series.
Kambli tweeted, “A few lessons from PS Cristiano too.”
Glad to have helped train Ajinkya and Rishabh for the upcoming South Africa series. Shared some valuable insights with him about SA conditions. my best wishes to them #SAvIND Chain.
PS Cristiano got some lessons too pic.twitter.com/bi0aRuyJHj— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) December 13, 2021
Rahane and Pant trained with Kambli and his son, while opener Mayank Agarwal took blessings from his grandmother before departing for the South Africa tour.
The 30-year-old, who can open with his good friend and his Bengaluru teammate KL Rahul, revealed that he never leaves the house without getting a vaccine from his grandmother.
“No tour starts without it. Grandma’s commentary and blessings before every competition. That’s as long as I can remember.”
Mayank tweeted, “Her blessings are the foundation on which I build myself. Emotions and memories are priceless.”
No tour starts without it. Dadi’s commentary and blessings before every competition. This is as long as I can remember. His blessings are the foundation on which I build myself.
Feelings and memories are priceless. pic.twitter.com/dglIVUf8pw
— mayank agarwal (@mayankcricket) December 12, 2021
Injury blow for Team India
India will be without their most prolific batsman in South Africa Test of 2021 as Rohit injured his left hamstring during training at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex on Sunday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has included Priyank Panchal in the 18-man squad in place of Rohit.
The 31-year-old Panchal was the captain of the India ‘A’ team that played a three-match unofficial Test series in South Africa earlier this month.
It remains to be seen whether Rohit Sharma will be able to recover in time for the ODI series starting January 19. Rohit was named as the ODI captain after Virat Kohli was sacked from the top post last week.
India are scheduled to play 3 Tests and 3 ODIs in South Africa from December 26, while four T20Is will be played at a later date.