Ranchi, Oct. 16: Team India players Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mayank Agarwal looked quite relaxed at the practice session on Wednesday morning as they sweated it out in the nets ahead of the third test match at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
Team India is 2-0 up in the three match series. With series in the pocket Virat and Co would like to test their bench strength in Ranchi.
The third and final match of the Freedom Series for Gandhi-Mandela Trophy begins on October 19 at JSCA Stadium. Team India players hit the nets on Wednesday morning while South Africa practiced in the afternoon.
Cheteshwar Pujara, a key figure in India’s middle-order along with opening batsman Mayank and spinner Ashwin batted in the nets during a training session.
R Ashwin was spotted having a conversation with support staff during a practice session. On the other hand test pitch curators were spotted giving final shape to the wicket. Earlier, Pujara was also seen inspecting the pitch.
Team India and South African cricket team arrived in Ranchi on Tuesday afternoon via a chartered plane. And for the very first time both the teams are not staying in the same hotel.
Team India has been put up at Hotel Radisson Blu while South Africa is staying at Le Lac Sarovar Portico.
According to JSCA vice-president Ajay Nath Shahdeo, JSCA doesn�t have a role to play as BCCI looks after the hotel bookings. From 17th to 19th October a doctor conference has been scheduled at Ranchi for which Radisson Blu along with other top hotels of the city have been booked a year in advance and there was no hotel where rooms for all the players were available.
JSCA official informed that JSCA Stadium is ready for the third test match. The ground is in excellent condition and the greenery will make the South African and Indian team happy. There was high demand for tickets on the second day also.
