India’s ODI Squad Begins Training
The Indian cricket team has commenced its preparations for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against England. The first training session took place at Edgbaston on Saturday, marking the team’s initial steps after a challenging run in the shortest format of the game. The series offers an opportunity for the team to regroup and reset their performance.
During the session, Virat Kohli engaged in an extensive discussion with ODI skipper Shubman Gill for approximately 30 minutes. Their conversation appeared to focus on batting strategies for the series, with Kohli sharing insights on shot selection, overall game strategy, and methods to counter England’s bowling attack across the three matches. Kohli was observed demonstrating various strokes and discussing potential scoring options with Gill before they concluded their two-hour session, which also included fielding drills and net batting.
Only seven members of the ODI squad participated in the training session in Birmingham. This was because the remainder of the Indian squad was in Southampton for the fifth and final T20I against England. That match resulted in a 56-run loss for India, completing a 0-4 series defeat.
The batters involved in the Edgbaston session included Kohli, Gill, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul. The bowling group was led by Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar. To simulate various match conditions, India also utilised local net bowlers, comprising two spinners and a fast bowler.
Intense Net Sessions and Support Staff Involvement
Both Kohli and Rohit displayed fluency during their time in the nets. Kohli, in particular, showcased a wide range of strokes, confidently driving down the ground, executing paddle sweeps, and playing his characteristic flicks fine down the leg side. Bumrah and Brar provided an intense opening to the session by consistently testing the batters, hitting the deck hard and extracting bounce.
Kuldeep Yadav also had an extended bowling spell, while the local spinners offered additional variety to the batters, aiding their preparation for the English conditions. The support staff, including fielding coach T Dilip, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, and throwdown specialist Dayasagar, supervised the training session, ensuring the visitors were fine-tuning their preparations effectively.
The Indian team arrived in England following a 0-2 T20I series defeat in Ireland, which was then followed by the comprehensive 0-4 loss to England in the T20I series. The upcoming ODI series is seen as a crucial opportunity for the team to improve their performance.
Rohit Sharma’s Early Arrival and Preparation
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, a veteran opener and former India captain, arrived in London ahead of the ODI series to undertake dedicated training sessions. He has been preparing at local cricket clubs in and around London, including Slough and Swyncombe. This early arrival allowed him extra time to adjust to the conditions and reconnect with old friends.
Sharma is reportedly fully fit, having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026. He is now focused on the 50-over format, having retired from Tests and T20Is. He was recently seen enjoying an outing with a childhood friend and former teammate, sharing pictures on social media with the caption, ‘Old school vibes just hit different.’
Reports indicate that Sharma has completed several full training sessions at these local clubs, facing local bowlers as part of his preparations. He will soon join the rest of India’s ODI squad in Birmingham. The ODI series is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on July 14, followed by the second match at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on July 16, and concluding at Lord’s on July 19.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
