Rohit Sharma has started preparations for the upcoming 3-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan. The former all-format captain joined India’s camp at the IS Bindra Stadium. Rohit, who reported to the Centre of Excellence on June 8, showed no signs of physical struggle during an optional training session in Mohali.
Before kicking off the session, Rohit chatted with India’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux. After which, he and Ishan Kishan performed light shuttle runs together. The 39-year-old completed around five sets and showed no sign of discomfort, according to India Today.
Inside Rohit Sharma’s practice session in Mohali
Then, Rohit hit the open nets. Nitish Kumar Reddy troubled him early. Despite playing for the Mumbai Indians as recently as May 24, the opener looked rusty. The fast-bowling all-rounder trapped Rohit in front of the wicket. Then, Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav tested him.
Rohit didn’t look authoritative. He began with some plays and misses, getting beaten on the outside edge and tentatively pushed before finding the middle of the bat while defending. Brar’s pacy short balls didn’t connect, as Rohit didn’t find the right timing on his favourite pull shot.
Arshdeep Singh came on and was hit over mid-wicket as Rohit flicked him. Prince tried to test him with a wide yorker, but now in rhythm, Rohit casually steered the ball towards third man. Now, the 39-year-old started to look comfortable. After batting for about 45 minutes against pacers, he chatted with India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and then moved to the spinners’ nets.
Apart from the bowlers in India’s ODI squad, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) had arranged extra net bowlers as well. Rohit faced Harsh Dubey. But the highlight was him hitting straight sixes against an off-spinner. Rohit ended the session with India’s fielding coach T. Dilip, who did a high-catching drill.
Perhaps the only negative about Rohit’s practice was that he didn’t step out against the fast bowlers or spinners. Over the last few years in ODI cricket, the veteran batter often charges down the track against the quicks. But that didn’t happen in Mohali. Whether that was by choice or due to restrictions caused by his hamstring injury, we don’t know.
Shubman Gill skips optional training
Apart from Rohit and Kishan, other batters like Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal were also present. However, those who featured in the India vs Afghanistan one-off Test – Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar – were absent from the optional practice sessions.
Cricket
Rohit Sharma starts IND vs AFG ODI preparations, shows no signs of injury in Mohali practice session
