Subhayan Chakraborty from Ahmedabad
With the much-anticipated World Cup final against Australia looming on the horizon at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Team India opted for a relaxed optional training session on Friday.
In the low-key session at Motera, six players, including skipper Rohit Sharma, engaged themselves in a light workout. The six also included Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Prasidh Krishna. Head coach Rahul Dravid and fielding coach T Dilip initiated the proceedings by inspecting the covered pitch, eventually removing the covers for a thorough examination.
The trio, with skipper Rohit joining in, were then engaged in a detailed discussion before the curators deployed the heavy roller for nearly 20 minutes. The pitch, expected to offer turn and decent bounce, is poised to be a key factor in the final showdown on Sunday.
Rohit Sharma, after participating in the pitch talk, focused on slip catching during the practice session. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Ravindra Jadeja honed their batting skills in the nets. Notably, India strategically used two net bowlers, featuring a left-arm pacer and a right-arm leg spinner, to simulate the challenge posed by Australia’s Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa respectively. While Jadeja showcased his big-hitting prowess, Rahul concentrated on traditional straight bat strokes and executed a few sweeps.
Post-pitch discussions and a friendly chat with Mohammed Kaif, Rohit Sharma padded up and spent 20 minutes at the nets. His training session concentrated on straight bat shots in the ‘V’ and extensive sweep practice, hinting at the potential role of spinners in Ahmedabad.
Alongside throwdown specialists, Rohit faced two local leg spinners to fine-tune his skills for the grand finale.
As the excitement builds for the final, the stadium premises witnessed a heightened security presence. With VVIP movements anticipated, including the attendance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the city has implemented comprehensive security measures.
Inside the stadium, last-minute preparations for the pre and mid-innings ceremonies were underway. A dance group named HKDC, featuring around 500 performers from Mumbai, is set to captivate the audience during the mid-innings show, where Pritam Chakraborty and Jonita Gandhi are scheduled to perform for approximately 12 minutes.
The mid-innings break will feature a laser show, continuing the tradition throughout the World Cup. In the pre-match closing ceremony, IAF Suryakiran will present an airshow, showcasing multiple jets. During the first innings drinks break, Achint and Aditya Gadhvi are slated to perform their popular song “Khalasi.” The stage is clearly set for a spectacular culmination of the World Cup, promising entertainment both on and off the field.