India's Stars Descend Upon Chennai for Test Season Preparation

India's cricketing stars have gathered in Chennai to kick off their preparations for a demanding Test season. The training began with key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hitting the nets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Kohli returns to red-ball cricket for the first time in nearly nine months, while Rishabh Pant aims to resume his Test career, which was interrupted by a serious car accident in December 2022.

The squad, which includes top-order batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, is preparing for a series of challenging fixtures: two Tests against Bangladesh starting September 19, followed by three Tests against New Zealand in October and five Tests against Australia from November to January.

The practice pitches featured varied conditions to simulate different match scenarios. One pitch, with a black-soil base, was designed to replicate spin-friendly conditions, while another, with a red-soil base, was prepared to mimic a rougher, more abrasive surface. Net sessions included a mix of left-arm spin and off-spin to prepare the batsmen for the likes of Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan.

India's bowlers also had their share of rigorous training. Jasprit Bumrah, who last played in June, showcased his skills with some impressive batting during the net sessions. Rookie fast bowler Yash Dayal received attention from both bowling coach Morne Morkel and former player Gautam Gambhir, indicating his role in future fixtures.

The first Test against Bangladesh will set the tone for India's campaign as they aim to secure a place in the World Test Championship final in June 2025. Currently leading the WTC points table, India will look to build on their strong start with a series of successful home games.