(AP Photo)
Following their arrival in New York, USA, the Indian cricket team has commenced their rigorous practice sessions in preparation for the imminent T20 World Cup 2024, set to commence on Saturday, June 1. Notably, former Indian captain Virat Kohli is yet to join the squad for the upcoming ICC tournament.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team is gearing up to kick off their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, June 5. Subsequently, they will clash against their traditional rivals, Pakistan, captained by Babar Azam, in their second encounter at the same venue on June 9.
Yashasvi Jaiswal opts to skip India’s inaugural batting session in New York.
In New York on Wednesday afternoon, the Indian cricket team engaged in an extensive three-hour net practice session, led by captain Rohit Sharma. Preceding this, the team had a brief running and conditioning drill on Tuesday evening. Notably, Virat Kohli was the sole absentee from Wednesday’s practice but is anticipated to join the squad later.
The practice session unfolded at Cantiague Park, located approximately five miles from Nassau County Stadium, which the ICC has designated as the official training facility. Cantiague Park boasts six drop-in practice pitches. India is slated to contest three World Cup matches and a warm-up game against Bangladesh at Nassau County Stadium.
During the net session, the Indian team utilized three pitches, with two designated for batting practice and one for bowling. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill commenced the batting drills, followed by the remaining players in the batting order.
Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja actively participated in the batting practice. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal took a rest, having recently joined the team after a lengthy flight. They are expected to join the subsequent net session on Friday.
Eoin Morgan says Would Have Shubman Gill Over Yashasvi Jaiswal.
In a recent Sky Sports podcast featuring Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, Eoin Morgan expressed his opinion that Shubman Gill ought to have been selected ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the World Cup squad. Morgan lauded Gill as a prospective leader, emphasizing that his inclusion could offer invaluable inspiration to the team.
“The only decision I would have had differently and if I was selecting the squad, I would have Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal. I have played alongside him, I know how he thinks. I know how he works,” Morgan said.
“I feel he’s a future leader within that side and I think in big moments, in World Cups the more leaders the better. Even if he’s sitting on the sideline, you still need inspiration from here and there, a sense of positivity,” he added.
Although Shubman Gill didn’t secure a spot in the 15-member squad for the World Cup, he has been designated as one of the reserve players for the ICC event. Notably, in the IPL 2024 season, the talented opener showcased his prowess by amassing 426 runs in 12 matches, boasting an impressive average of 38.73 and a striking strike rate of 147.40. His remarkable performance included two half-centuries and a century.
