As the anticipation builds for India’s World Cup campaign opener against Australia in Chennai, the Indian cricket team engaged in a focused practice session on Friday. During this rigorous training session, team captain Rohit Sharma showcased his leadership not only through his own preparation but also by providing valuable batting advice to his teammate Shreyas Iyer.
Rohit Sharma was seen engaged in an animated discussion with Shreyas Iyer, delving into various facets of batting, including the critical elements of stance, shot selection, and maintaining balance while executing shots. Iyer, who has recently made his return to the team and impressed during the Asian Cup, appears to be in sublime form. His performance in the practice session suggests he may well play a pivotal role at No. 4 in the campaign opener against the ‘Baggy Greens’ from Australia.
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Stalwart batter Virat Kohli and the versatile KL Rahul were also seen fine-tuning their batting skills in the nets, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for excellence. Meanwhile, the majority of the team enjoyed a spirited session of football, fostering camaraderie and team spirit, an essential element of success in any tournament. This light-hearted interlude also featured head coach Rahul Dravid, who actively participated in the football session with the players.
While the entire team diligently prepares for the campaign opener, a lingering question marks the availability of the young sensation, Shubman Gill. Gill, brimming with potential, had firmly established himself as India’s opening batter for the future. He concluded the Asia Cup as the top scorer, amassing an impressive 302 runs at an average of 75.50.
However, earlier on Friday, unsettling news surfaced, indicating that Shubman Gill was unwell and suffering from dengue fever. Concerns loom about his participation in the World Cup opener against Australia on Sunday. Addressing this issue, Rahul Dravid, the team’s head coach, provided an update on Gill’s current condition.
“He’s feeling better today than he was yesterday, so that is a positive sign,” Dravid stated during the pre-match press conference. “The medical team is diligently monitoring his progress on a day-to-day basis. We will respect whatever decision the medical team takes, and we’ll gauge how he feels the day after tomorrow. As of now, the medical team hasn’t ruled him out.”
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
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