India are set to make history with their first-ever Test match in Guwahati, but all eyes are not on the venue – they are on the nets. For two days, Kolkata’s practice sessions turned into an intense, quiet war against spin. From extra throwdowns to sweeping marathons, the message from head coach Gautam Gambhir was crystal clear: India must dominate spin or risk repeating the Eden Gardens disaster.
Central to the drama is Sai Sudharsan, the young left-handed batsman who has yet to cement a Test spot but has become the heartbeat of India’s preparations. During the Eden Gardens Test, while Washington Sundar was promoted to the No.3 role, Sudharsan refused to disappear. He spent every break facing throwdowns, practising footwork, and drilling his sweep shot. Unlike many substitutes, he didn’t behave like a bench player; he trained like a future star.
Two days after India’s defeat, Sudharsan was still at it. With Shubman Gill injured and uncertain for Guwahati, the left-hander’s relentless approach has opened doors. Under batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, he practised facing spin from multiple angles, preparing for turn, bounce, and deceptive drift. The session revealed a level of dedication that caught Gambhir’s attention – enough for a 10-minute chat in the nets, dissecting Sudharsan’s use of the front foot and sweep execution.
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar’s outstanding temperament on a vicious surface has thrown new light on India’s top order. Calm, composed and unbothered by prodigious turn, Sundar left balls he didn’t need to touch – a rare quality among India’s current set-up. With Harmer’s dominance exposing India’s technique, Sundar now looks a genuine candidate to retain the No. 3 spot.
Elsewhere, Dhruv Jurel continued to sharpen his reverse sweep and strike control, while Ravindra Jadeja worked on subtle angles to counter around-the-wicket spin. Gambhir stood quietly beside the nets, watching every small movement, occasionally stepping forward to correct an alignment or gesture towards footwork adjustments.
India’s upcoming Test in Guwahati promises unpredictable conditions. No one knows how the pitch will behave, and that uncertainty has forced India into total spin immersion. The defeat in Kolkata has left scars, and Gambhir is responding with a strategy that screams preparation, not panic.
