KL Rahul's Sweep-Focused Drills Target Sri Lanka Spin Challenge
The Indian opener has devised a unique training method to prepare for the turning tracks in the upcoming Test series.
Ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, KL Rahul has fine-tuned his approach to counter spin, with a particular emphasis on sweeps. The series begins on August 15, and India's batting against spin has been a recurring concern. Rahul, who has shown improvement at the top of the order but has often struggled against spinners, is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations.
During a recent training session in Colombo, Rahul found that the green practice pitches offered no natural rough. To simulate match conditions, he decided to bat around the bowlers' landing area on the practice strips, allowing him to practice against footmarks. He worked on conventional and slog sweeps during throwdowns from Morne Morkel and Sitanshu Kotak. The coaching staff later suggested the same drill to other players like Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, and Gurnoor Brar.
The focus on sweeps is no accident. India's recent batting failures against spin have been partly blamed on a lack of sweep options among batters. By adding these shots to his arsenal, Rahul aims to give himself more scoring opportunities on Sri Lanka's spin-friendly pitches, which could prove decisive in the World Test Championship cycle.