With the series already in their pocket after the 15-run win over England on Thursday (January 19), India captain Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and second match-centurion Yuvraj Singh decided to give the optional training session at the Eden Gardens on Saturday a miss.
However, it is very unlikely that the hosts led by the ambitious Virat Kohli will take the dead rubber lightly. This is Kohli’s first series as full-time India captain and he’ll be keen to inflict a whitewash on the visitors. Moreover, this is also the last ODI series before India head to England to defend their Champions Trophy title in June.
Speaking after the second ODI in Cuttack, Kohli had said:
“Having won the series, just before the Champions Trophy, the key will be for us to express ourselves and work out what is the best opening partnership.
“Two guys who had a really good Test series (Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin) stepped up and had we not picked up those wickets I don’t know where the game would have gone. I’d say we are only at 75 per cent of our potential. We hope to play to our full potential in Kolkata,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had scored 134 in the second ODI, attended the session. The former captain was seen bowling in the nets ahead of the final match. He was seen inspecting the Eden pitch, taking the feedback of locals and also chatting with the youngsters.
Preparations on in full swing for the 3rd and final ODI against England #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/DYqMItsCeI
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 21, 2017