India vs New Zealand: Rahul Dravid keeps close eye as India players train ahead of 1st Test in Kanpur

India’s Test players hit the nets on Tuesday for the first time under head coach Rahul Dravid who overlooked the training session in the lead up to the first Test against New Zealand. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, India players trained at the Green Park in Kanpur.

Coach Rahul Dravid, who has begun his stint with a 3-0 sweep of New Zealand in the T20I series, kept a close eye on the proceedings on Tuesday. Dravid was spotted offering tips to the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and other senior batters as they geared up for the Test series, starting November 25.

When #TeamIndia hit the ground running in Kanpur ahead of the 1st #INDvNZ Test. @Paytm pic.twitter.com/qbMejsdzxW

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 23, 2021

The likes of Ishant Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj along with Jayant Yadav rolled their arm over at the nets while India batters took turns in their batting sessions. Suryakumar Yadav, who was added to the squad, did not face the India fast bowlers in Tuesday’s training session.

Notably, Suryakumar was added to the squad after KL Rahul was ruled out of the Test series due to a side strain on Tuesday.

Coach Rahul Dravid was also seen rolling his arm over at the nets following up the throwdown session he had during the T20I series.

Rahul Dravid rolling his arm over at the nets in Kanpur (PTI Photo)

Players pay rapt attention as Rahul Dravid offers batting tips (PTI Photo)

Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Iyer during India’s training session in Kanpur (PTI Photo)

India will be without several of their key players as Virat Kohli will be missing the first Test after he was rested along with Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Injury to Rahul means India will open the batting with Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal.

India are also likely to hand debut to either Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav for the middle-order role in the absence of Hanuma Vihari, who was not picked in the team.

India’s spin trio is likely to consist of R Ashwin, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja who returns to the side after missing the T20I series.

Captain Kohli, who has begun training in Mumbai, will lead the team in the 2nd Test, starting December 3 at the Wankhede Stadium.