India vs South Africa: Rohit faces Mukesh in visitors' optional practice ahead of second Test; Jadeja goes full tilt

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday took part in the optional training session at the SuperSport Park in Centurion ahead of the second Test that starts on 3 January in Cape Town. Having been outplayed by Kagiso Rabada in both innings of the first Test, Rohit Sharma’s major focus during the two-hour training session was on facing seamer Mukesh Kumar. Mukesh solely bowled to Rohit for at least 45 minutes during the nets session on Saturday.

Rohit wanted Mukesh to bowl at a length of 4-6 metres, and seemingly did a brilliant job, managing to beat Rohit’s bat a few times.

IND vs SA: Are India even aware of their strengths and weaknesses?

Rohit even gave tips to Mukesh on his erist position and the desired lengths he needed to bowl consistently. When asked by batting coach Vikram Rathour if Rohit wanted to use the nets exclusively for throwdowns, Rohit replied: “Nahi yehin pe aur 10 minute bat karoonga” (No I will bat here for another 10 minutes)”.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja went full tilt with his bowling, along with Ravichandran Ashwin, who also bowled a few deliveries.

Jadeja bowled for almost 45 minutes along with Ashwin, and also batted well, executing a few brilliant drives.

Paras Mhambrey works with Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna endured a forgettable Test debut with figures of 1/93 and it was paramount that he worked on his length.And to do so, there was bowling coach Paras Mhambrey to assist him.

Prasidh did not bowl to any of the batters, and instead, Mhambrey kept three different lengths for Prasidh. Two horizontal blue strips of 10 metre length (Short), a red chip for 6-8 metres (Back of a length) and two parallel yellow strips on a good length were on for Prasidh.

IND vs SA: Prasidh Krishna isn’t ready for Test cricket, says former India bowler

Prasidh was assigned with hitting each of those lengths regularly. However, Prasidh seemingly struggled with his lengths and did not look ready to face the big test.

India, who are yet to conquer the Final Frontier, suffered an innings defeat in Centurion to extend their wait for a Test series win in South Africa. The batters came under scrutiny with only KL Rahul and Virat Kohli providing something substantial with a century and a fifty respectively.