Fielding drills take precedence for Rohit Co

ON Thursday morning, a few Indian players, mainly batters, had a training session at the Gamini Dissanayake Indoor Cricket Nets at the Nondescripts Cricket Club, Colombo.

- FIROZ MIRZA 

As it was pouring, the optional training session was held indoors with only batters training at the nets taking throwdowns. The session was India's first since September 1 ahead of their Asia Cup opener against Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

After their first match got abandoned, Rohit Sharma and Co decided not to train ahead of their Group A clash against Nepal at the same venue on September 4. Against Pakistan they chose to bat so when the coin flipped in their favour against Nepal, India preferred to field.

But it turned out to be a horrific outing for Indian fielders as they grassed three catches inside five overs to let Nepal openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh-add 65 runs in just 9.5 overs before the former departed. The bowlers then brought the team back in the game as India restricted their opponents to 230 and won the match by 10 wickets via DLS method to make it to the Super Four stage.