Munaf bouncer leaves Gambhir jolted

Image: Gautam Gambhir is struck by a Munaf Patel bouncer even as he tries to evade the lethal delivery

India's practice session woes continued as opener Gautam Gambhir was struck on the head by a quick bouncer from Munaf Patel in Vadodara on Saturday.

The left-hander was batting in the nets area at the IPCL stadium on the eve of the first one-day international against Australia and was hit on the back on the head as he tried to avoid the short delivery. He was clearly in some sort of discomfort initially.

Earlier, on Friday, captain Mahendra Singh was hit on the knee, while Virender Sehwag was hit on the chest as they practiced against the fast bowlers.

Text and Images: Harish Kotian

Gambhir suffers no major injury

Image: Gambhir looks at his helmet after being hit

Thank God for helmets! Gambhir must have been saying after that strike.

He checks his helmet after the delivery hit him on the head. Sure, he must have been relieved that he didn't suffer any major injury.

Coach Gary Kirsten comes up to check on Gambhir

Image: Coach Gary Kirsten walks towards Gambhir to take stock of the situation

The left-hander indicated that the delivery had struck on the right side behind his head as he took his eyes off while trying to evade the bouncer from Munaf.

Team left stunned

Image: The Indian team rushes to Gambhir to ensure his well-being

For a moment the entire team was left stunned.

A few team-mates immediately rushed up to Gambhir to check on his condition and all were relieved that there was nothing major.

Getting attention from the physio

Image: Team physio Nitin Patel checks Gambhir

Luckily for Gambhir, the helmet had softened the blow and there were no injuries to his head.

Shaken, Gambhir decides to take a break

Image: Gambhir watches his team-mates practice from the sidelines

Gambhir opted not to continue his batting stint and spent some time on the sidelines.

The India left-hander was clearly left shaken by the incident and was seen reflecting on the same a few moments later.

Sachin checks on Gambhir

Image: Sachin Tendulkar checks to see where Gambhir was struck

The veteran, who is expected to open the innings with Virender Sehwag, had a lengthy batting session on the two days that India practiced in Vadodara.

Tendulkar teaches Gambhir to use his feet

Image: Tendulkar teaches Gambhir on how use his feet while playing the short delivery as coach Gary Kirsten watches from a distance

Sachin Tendulkar was seen giving the Delhi left-hander a few tips on how to avoid the short deliveries and how to get out of the way or get underneath the delivery.

Dhoni bowls in the nets

Image: Captain MS Dhoni prepares to roll his arm in the nets

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni dispelled all doubts on his fitness by bowling in the nets.

Dhoni was struck on the back of his left knee on Friday, but he made it clear that the injury was not serious as he bowled a few deliveries of medium pace to Yuvraj Singh.

Bhajji, Sehwag miss practice

Image: Tendulkar gets the thumbs up from coach Kirsten as he plays his trademark straight drive

Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh missed the practice session and Dhoni later said it was an optional net session so players were free to decide whether to take part or stay back in their hotel and rest.

More