In a strategic move ahead of the second Test against Australia, Team India has decided to conduct closed net practice sessions at Adelaide Oval. This decision follows an overwhelming turnout of over 5,000 spectators during an open practice, creating a “carnival atmosphere” that left the players uncomfortable.
A Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed India’s preference for private training to “minimise potential noise or distractions.”
In contrast, the Australian team will continue to hold open sessions, allowing fans to observe their preparations.
During India’s recent practice, players engaged in intense drills, with a notable face-off between Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. Kohli showcased his skill with an impeccable backfoot punch, while Bumrah was impressed with significant movement off the pitch, even occasionally beating Rishabh Pant’s outside edge.
India leads the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 1-0 after a commanding 295-run victory in Perth. The upcoming day-night Test in Adelaide, starting Friday, December 6, promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Australia’s Squad for the Second Test:
- Pat Cummins (C)
- Scott Boland
- Alex Carey (WK)
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Nathan Lyon
- Mitch Marsh
- Nathan McSweeney
- Steve Smith
- Mitchell Starc
- Beau Webster
India’s Squad:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Dhruv Jurel
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammed Siraj
- Akash Deep
- Prasidh Krishna
- Harshit Rana
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
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Reserves:
- Mukesh Kumar
- Navdeep Saini
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Yash Dayal
As the series progresses, both teams are intensifying their preparations, with India opting for privacy to fine-tune their strategies and maintain focus amidst the high stakes.
