India dial up spin focus before Guwahati Test

Sai Sudharsan maintained his batting presence during the Eden Gardens Test, working with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak during session breaks. Two days after India's defeat, he brought the same energy to an optional nets session in Kolkata ahead of the team's travel to Guwahati.

In the Kolkata Test, Washington Sundar gave a solid audition for the No.3 position, showing sound technique and patience against spinners on a tricky surface. Sudharsan's return to the lineup currently depends on Shubman Gill's injury status – Gill was discharged from hospital but was seen wearing a cervical collar.

During Tuesday's session, Sudharsan and Washington began in adjacent nets. Off-spinner Washington bowled for about 30 minutes to Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel, replicating the effect of South Africa's Simon Harmer. Sudharsan worked with Kotak at the fast bowling nets before moving to spin practice.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir watched as Sudharsan batted with a specific pattern – sweeping off-spinners with giant forward strides and charging left-arm spinners bowling from round the stumps. Gambhir summoned Sudharsan mid-session for a discussion about his front foot play.

Sudharsan, known for his extensive net sessions, batted for over an hour before briefly leaving, then returning for five more minutes of sweeping practice. He later moved to throwdowns nets, practicing sweep shots against left-handed specialist Nuwan Senaviratne.

Jurel focused on his own routine, spending 20 minutes reverse-sweeping against net bowlers from shortened distances. Washington had a long batting session, leaving plenty of deliveries and getting behind the line well – similar to his approach in the first Test where he emerged as one of India's batting positives.

With Guwahati being uncharted territory for Test cricket and considering Harmer's impact in Kolkata, India's batters are expected to continue their spin-heavy preparation ahead of the second Test.