During Monday’s optional practice session at Eden Gardens, Indian batters Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel adopted an unconventional approach by wearing only one pad while facing spin bowlers.As reported by news agency PTI, the nearly three-hour session revealed a strategic method behind this unusual practice technique. Left-handed Sudharsan removed his right pad to achieve a longer front-foot stride without leg protection.Although Sudharsan missed the Eden Test, his participation in the upcoming Guwahati match remains uncertain. Batting without a front pad against left-arm and off-spinners required extra caution to protect exposed areas from potential injuries.This traditional training technique emphasises using the bat as the primary defensive tool rather than relying on leg pads. Players typically resort to using their front pad as initial protection when wearing full gear, often resulting in leg-before-wicket situations.The removal of the front pad during practice forces batters to prioritise bat usage for defence. This drill specifically addresses Indian left-handed batters’ tendency to play on the back foot when struggling to read spin deliveries.The practice method encourages players to move forward and neutralise the spin at its source. Right-handed Jurel also practised without his right pad while working on reverse sweep shots from the centre pitch. For right-handed players, this stroke requires significant forward movement of the right leg. The exercise focuses on proper technique while minimising injury risks. Head coach Gautam Gambhir closely monitored Sudharsan’s performance, as he could potentially replace Shubman Gill, who might miss the second Test due to a neck spasm. Sudharsan appeared to struggle against pace bowling, with Akash Deep and net bowlers repeatedly finding his outside edge. Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak provided extensive guidance during practice breaks.Only six players, including senior player Ravindra Jadeja, who had the longest batting session, participated in the optional practice. With Gill’s likely absence from the second Test, all-rounder Nitish Reddy has been withdrawn from the ongoing India A series against South Africa A in Rajkot.According to BCCI sources, Gill will travel with the team to Guwahati despite neck stiffness, making his participation unlikely. If Gill is unable to play in Guwahati, he will head to BCCI COE in Bengaluru from Kolkata as flying is not restricted.Reddy, who arrived in Kolkata on Monday evening, missed the day’s practice session. The management wanted to avoid scheduling conflicts between Reddy’s Wednesday match in Rajkot and the subsequent travel to Guwahati for practice.Being a right-handed batter with a Test century, Reddy remains a potential candidate for the playing eleven in Guwahati.
