India have stepped up their preparations for the upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka by bringing in four young spinners as net bowlers ahead of the opening game. The two-match Test series will begin on August 15 in Galle.
The team management has called up spin all-rounder Harsh Dubey along with Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian and Vipraj Nigam to help Indian batters and bowlers prepare for the spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka.
Harsh Dubey, who has recently made his mark in India’s white-ball setup, will join Madhya Pradesh’s left-arm wrist spinner Shivang Kumar, Mumbai off-spinner Tanush Kotian and Delhi leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam in the training camp. According to the BCCI, the four players have been included as net bowlers to support the squad ahead of the first Test.
India’s decision to add extra spin options highlights the team’s focus on tackling Sri Lanka’s turning pitches. Although the visitors already have four spinners in their 15-member squad, additional bowlers have been brought in to provide quality practice during the preparation phase.
The four spinners selected in India’s Test squad are Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav and Saransh Jain. The team will also play a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI in Colombo before the Test series begins. The first Test will be played at Galle from August 15, followed by the second and final Test at the SSC Ground in Colombo starting August 23.
