Kohli bats for long, Bumrah goes whole hog in India's first practice session

PTI, Chennai: Batting superstar Virat Kohli spent about 45 minutes in the nets and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah bowled full tilt as the Indian cricket team on Friday began its preparations for a two-Test series against Bangladesh. With the first Test against Bangladesh scheduled here from September 19, the entire squad, including skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli, assembled at the MA Chidambaram Stadium for a closed door training session. This would be the first home assignment for new head coach Gautam Gambhir.

New bowling coach, South African great Morne Morkel, and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar were also in attendance. The BCCI posted images of the first day of practice and wrote, "The countdown starts as Team India begin their preps for an exciting home season." "Virat was there for 45 minutes and Bumrah also bowled full throttle," a local source told PTI Virat has flown in directly from London for the opening Test. Wearing a yellow jersey, Rohit was seen emerging from the airport escorted by security personnel, in a PTI Video on Thursday night, while Kohli came from London in an earlymorning flight.

The likes of Bumrah, KL Rahul and wicketkeeper- batter Rishabh Pant had reached the city on Thursday. Batter Sarfaraz Khan will join the squad after the Duleep Trophy game in Anantapur, where he is playing for India B right now.