Reddy for Patel as India look to bounce back?

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar lined up first in the nets here on Thursday, indicating that India may not want to tinker with the No. 3 position. B Sai Sudharsan was knocking at the adjacent nets as was Dhruv Jurel, later joined by Rishabh Pant. Nitish Kumar Reddy painted his run-up mark and started gingerly with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as ‘Axar Patel slowly slipped into the frame holding a water bottle. These were telling pictures.

- Somshuvra Laha

On the evidence of how India went about their batting and bowling drills, expect one bowler tobe dropped for the second Test beginning on Saturday. Kuldeep Yadav has been the best spinner, so chances are Patel might have to sit out should India opt fora seam bowling all-rounder. Enter Reddy.

Sudharsan, a specialist Test batter, is the most obvious choice to replace Gill. He was also later seen shadowing at the pitch being readied for the second Test. Reddy's return to the scheme of things, however suggests he could bolster the seam bowling strength. The pitch might warrant that.

It’s a red soil track alright, but with a uniform grass cover that should be trimmed in the next 24 hours. There are a few bare spots in frontof the popping crease that should keep spinners very interested. The biggest departure from the Kolkata pitch was how this track was being watered and rolled even on Thursday, indicating atan attempt to overcompensate for a Test that didn'teven last three days.