Not much practice for Gambhir

Captain Virat Kohli said the team generally bats in order of match day batting line-up on the eve of a Test match. “We basically do that segregation according to who’s had batting practice on the previous day. Generally, on the day before the match, we stick to the batting order,” Kohli said. 

“Sometimes it does happen that a player wants a throw-in and doesn’t prefer batting at that point. That doesn’t mean he is not going to play,” he added.

India had a two-hour practice session at the Eden Gardens on the eve of their second Test. Gambhir was seen first given catching practice far from the nets where Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja were playing. 

The Delhi opener, who last played for India in 2014 against England at the Oval, grassed a few catches before coming to the centre of the field to have a chat with Kohli. He then batted under the watchful eyes of coach Anil Kumble.