Dubai, UAE: After a well-deserved two-day break, the Indian cricket team resumed their training session on Wednesday at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy, following their impressive win over Pakistan. The Men in Blue spent more than two hours on the field, under the floodlights, sharpening their skills ahead of their next clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Rohit Sharma Takes It Easy Amid Injury Concerns
The session started with the players engaging in a light warm-up, including football, laps around the ground, and shuttle runs. However, captain Rohit Sharma took a more cautious approach. The skipper, still recovering from a hamstring strain he picked up during the Pakistan match, refrained from any intense physical activity. He stayed close to the team but largely stayed in the background as the other players trained at full intensity.
About an hour into the session, Rohit began jogging lightly under the watchful eyes of Strength & Conditioning coach Soham Desai. However, his movements appeared stiff, suggesting that the hamstring issue may still be a concern. Despite his assurances that he was fine, his limited mobility raised some doubts about his fitness. Rohit didn’t face any throwdowns and opted for shadow batting during his discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir and other coaching staff members. With India’s next match against New Zealand still days away, the team will be hoping the captain is fit for the crucial group-stage encounter.
Virat Kohli in Top Form
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, fresh from his century against Pakistan, looked in excellent touch during his batting practice. He spent over an hour in the nets, playing his trademark crisp cover drives and hitting the ball cleanly. Kohli faced both spin and seam bowlers, and even took some throwdowns to mix things up. His batting was sharp and controlled, signaling that he is in excellent form heading into the knockout stages.
Mohammed Shami Also Back to Full Fitness
There was some concern surrounding Mohammed Shami, who had bowled in consecutive matches with little rest and had received treatment for an ankle issue during the Pakistan game. However, Shami seemed to be moving freely during Wednesday’s session. He bowled with full intensity, providing quality practice for the likes of Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. Bowling coach Morne Morkel, who recently returned to the squad after a personal emergency, was seen providing constant feedback to Shami and the other bowlers.
A Fun and Engaging Session
Despite the intense focus on fitness and preparations, the team’s spirits were high throughout the session. A lighthearted moment came when the players engaged in a unique catching game after their warm-up. The camaraderie and banter among the team members reflected their good morale ahead of their next challenge.
India Eyes Unbeaten Run Ahead of Knockouts
India has already secured their spot in the semifinals after winning their first two group matches, but they will be keen to maintain their unbeaten record before the knockout stages. With a mix of in-form players and the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the team is looking to build on their momentum and keep their winning streak intact.
As the Indian camp prepares for their final group match against New Zealand, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma’s fitness. Will he be fit to lead the team, or will India need to make a change? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Men in Blue are ready to give it their all as they push towards the Champions Trophy title.
