On the verge of yet another embarrassing overseas Test series defeat, one would expect the Indian cricketers to train with much more intent.
India take on England in the third Test of the five-match series at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, starting Saturday. Virat Kohli's men will look to bounce back having lost the first two matches - at Lord's and Edgbaston.
There are plenty of areas that the visiting team needs to improve upon. Being two-nil down, the tourists have no room for error if they are to win the series. With the stakes this high, the Indian team hit the nets for a practice session on Thursday.
Sadly for Indian fans, though, the intensity shown by the boys wasn't as high as one would've expected. For starters, skipper Kohli seemed in a rather cheerful mood. The talismanic leader, who suffered a back strain in the second Test, did a lot of stretching exercises and took some throw-downs.
Apart from Kohli, who was often seen having a hearty laugh, the rest of the team, including under fire coach Ravi Shastri seemed in a relaxed mood as well. There were plenty of smiles, and the absence of a burning desire to rectify flaws.
On the verge of yet another embarrassing overseas Test series defeat, one would expect the Indian cricketers to train with much more intent. Yet, we'll leave it up to you to be the judge of Team India's approach.
Here are glimpses of the Indian cricket team's practice on Thursday, two days before the all-important third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham:
1. Eyes on the ball
)
Virat Kohli takes throw-downs as Shikhar Dhawan bats in the nets in the background.
(Image: Reuters)
2. All talk?
)
Virat Kohli in an animated discussion with Cheteshwar Pujara and Shardul Thakur.
(Image: Reuters)
3. Respect to a legend
)
Team India offer two minutes of silence for the demise of former captain Ajit Wadekar.
(Image: PTI)
4. 'Got to do everything myself'
)
Virat Kohli gives throw-downs to Cheteshwar Pujara.
(Image: Reuters)
5. Careful there
)
Virat Kohli does stretching exercises under the watchful eyes of Team India physio Patrick Farhart.
(Image: Reuters)
6. Always up for a laugh
)
Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli share a laugh with a member of the England cricket team's support staff.
(Image: PTI)
7. Steady please
)
Virat Kohli receives more treatment for his sore back.
(Image: PTI)
8. Laughter club
)
(L - R) Karun Nair, Ravichandran Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik and Cheteshwar Pujara have a relaxed workout.
(Image: AFP)
9. No strain
)
Covered in a sweater and beanie, Virat Kohli takes some more throw-downs.
(Image: AFP)
10. Advice from the senior pro
)
Pacers Ishant Sharma and Hardik Pandya in deep discussion.
(Image: AFP)
11. Ready to deliver?
)
Coach Ravi Shastri keeps an eye on the nets.
(Image: AFP)
12. Time to shine
)
Jasprit Bumrah bowls in the nets as he prepares for a comeback from injury.
(Image: AFP)
13. What's the joke?
)
Virat Kohli has another laugh as Murali Vijay bats in the nets behind him.
(Image: AFP)
14. Under pressure
)
In desperate need of runs after failures in the first two Tests, KL Rahul takes throw-downs fully padded up.
(Image: AFP)
15. Eyeing a comeback
)
Shikhar Dhawan, looking to find his way back into the playing XI, does some floor exercises.
(Image: AFP)
