The quietness of an optional training session at Eden Gardens can sometimes reveal more about a team’s mindset than the noise of a packed stadium. On a warm Monday afternoon, India’s Sai Sudharsan and Dhruv Jurel stepped into the nets determined to fine-tune their technique in a way most players would think twice about — they batted with only one pad on. It looked risky, even uncomfortable, yet there was purpose behind every ball they faced.
Their unusual routine came just after India’s batting lineup crumbled on a turning track in the first Test against South Africa, bowing out 30 runs short of a modest target. The defeat clearly lingered in the air and the training session felt like a quiet response, not dramatic but thoughtful, almost stubborn in its intent to reset.
Sai Sudharsan, a left-hander who did not play the Test and may or may not feature in the next one, removed the pad from his front leg. Without that protective layer, he had no option but to stretch forward with conviction and trust his bat rather than hide behind his pads. The risk was real, a mistimed block against a left-arm spinner or off-spinner could mean a painful blow. Yet the drill has existed for decades for exactly this reason. It pushes batters out of lazy habits, stops them from falling across the crease and demands precise footwork.
The need for this was even more pronounced because many Indian left-handers have recently preferred staying on the back foot, often misreading spin and reacting too late. This method forces them to go forward, meet the ball early and shut down the turn.
Dhruv Jurel worked on something similar but tailored to his own game. As a right-hander practising the reverse sweep, he removed his right pad so he could fully commit to the movement required for the stroke. It looked awkward at first but the intention was the same — to ensure the body learns the right motion without falling into defensive shortcuts.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir watched Sudharsan closely. With Shubman Gill likely to miss the next Test due to a neck spasm, Sudharsan could be called on to step in. His session wasn’t flawless; the pacers found his edge several times and even the net bowlers had him guessing. Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak spoke with him often during breaks, guiding him through the rough edges.
Only six players turned up for this optional practice, but among them was Ravindra Jadeja, the senior figure who batted the longest. In a way, his presence summed up the mood of the evening: quiet, committed, and focused on repairing what went wrong.
What unfolded at Eden Gardens wasn’t a dramatic overhaul of technique, just a simple reminder that sometimes the smallest tweaks, even uncomfortable ones, can help a team rediscover its balance.
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