Team India live updates: Batting coach attends press conference before IND vs ZIM

A massive relief for fans as Rinku Singh will join the Indian camp later today (in the evening). He flew to his home after his father fell ill. However, he will join the team in Chennai before the IND vs ZIM clash. 

"Rinku Singh is joining the team today evening, he went back home because his father is not well."

Sitanshu Kotak accepts that India's last game against South Africa was the "worst" game for the side in last 2 years. 

Sitanshu Kotak: Batting was clicking in bilaterals. This World Cup also last game was a concern. I am not looking at individuals. Last game was worst game we played in last two years. Our openers haven’t clicked. pic.twitter.com/kKjtPiDHtf

— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) February 25, 2026

India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak is attending the pre-match press conference on the eve of the India vs Zimbabwe clash. He is posed some tough question, especially considering India's horrible batting against spinners in this T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, a new updated time for India's optional practice session is likely to be 3 PM IST. Moreover, only two players, Tilak Varma and Varun Chakaravarthy, are expected to turn up for the practice on the eve of the IND vs ZIM clash. 

#India’s optional practice session in #Chennai has been delayed from 14:00 local time to 15:00.

Only Tilak Verma and Varun Chakravarthy expected to practice.#Cricket #T20WorldCup2026 #T20WorldCup #INDvsZIM | @im_sandipan @BCCI pic.twitter.com/LPwTiuZwz3

— The CricHub (@thecrichub_live) February 25, 2026

🚨While the scheduled training session was for 2 PM IST, Team India haven't turned up yet. As per a journalist, there are no signs of the Men in Blue at the Chepauk Stadium right now. 

Indian team delayed for their optional practice session ahead of the Zimbabwe clash.
The session was scheduled for 2 PM, but there are still no signs of the squad at Chepauk. #INDvsZIM #T20WorldCup

— Ankan Kar (@AnkanKar) February 25, 2026

Hardik Pandya, who had a poor game against SA in Ahmedabad, took his time to practice hitting it straight down the ground yesterday. Watch some of his insane shots below. 

At Chepauk, Hardik Pandya looked in ominous touch — launching towering hits all around during the net session. 💥🏏

The intensity in practice says it all. Team India locked in and gearing up strong for the Zimbabwe challenge. 👊🇮🇳#HardikPandya #TeamIndia #INDvsZIM #Chepauk pic.twitter.com/EW1jhv2pHi

— ND Sport (@SportsByND) February 25, 2026

Sikandar Raza is the new World No. 1 T20I all-rounder as per the latest ICC rankings. Shivam Dube has also received a boost. 

ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings
Last updated: 25 February 2026

1. Rinku Singh’s absence 
Rinku was missing from the nets after returning home to be with his father, who is battling cancer. 

2. Abhishek Sharma swapped bat for ball early on
Instead of batting straight away, Abhishek spent a large part of the session bowling left-arm spin. He stood beside the nets, speaking to the spinners and observing closely, trying to understand how much the black-soil Chepauk pitch might turn.

3. Late batting stint to rebuild confidence
After nearly 100 minutes of training, Abhishek finally picked up the bat. He faced only practice bowlers — not India’s main spinners or pacers — likely to help him regain rhythm after three ducks and a scratchy 15 in Ahmedabad (which included seven false shots). He batted for about 30 minutes and struck the ball cleanly, even sending a few into the stands while working on his game against off-spin.

4. Suryakumar Yadav’s long power-hitting drill
Surya had an extended two-hour session focused on range-hitting. Despite getting dismissed multiple times by frontline spinners in the nets, he kept attacking. After a slow 22 off 18 against South Africa, he looked intent on freeing himself up ahead of what is expected to be a batting-friendly surface against Zimbabwe.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India's practice session on the eve of the IND vs ZIM clash. A must win clash for both the teams, who eye their first Super 8 win. At the MA Chidambaram stadium, both have an optional practice session set up.