Shamik Chakrabarty in Dubai
“Yeh log hanste kyun nahi (why do these guys not smile),” a Pakistani journalist based out of Dubai asked, as the Indian team hit the nets at the ICC Academy on Monday. All the players had maintained a matter-of-factly exterior during the practice session a day earlier. Laughter was at a premium. Today, Rohit Sharma & Co. more than made up for that and the reporter was happy.
T Dilip, India’s fielding coach, makes fielding drills exciting. There’s always a competition between the groups and the winning party is rewarded. Today’s competition had three groups, led by Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit. Gill started with a bang, a direct hit to be precise. Kohli held court and resorted to a bit of leg-pulling. Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya were at the receiving end. They didn’t mind.
Then, something unexpected happened. Mohammed Shami knocked down the stumps with a direct hit and everyone celebrated. Even Gautam Gambhir couldn’t conceal his smile, attesting that it was indeed a special achievement.
Things became intense thereafter, coming down to the wire in fact. The last throw was with Rohit and he needed a direct hit to see his group through. The captain delivered. Fun and laughter filled the nippy Dubai air.
Rishabh Pant was watching the proceedings from afar. The wicketkeeper-batter didn’t take part in the ground-fielding and catching drills. It felt like he was still bearing the brunt of a fierce Pandya hit that had accidentally landed on his left knee yesterday. The southpaw received treatment before coming out to bat during that training session. According to sources, however, he felt the pain in the evening.
Today, things improved and Pant turned up for practice. Not participating in the fielding drills was precautionary. His left knee was still strapped, but Pant padded up and went for his batting stint.
Ahead of their first game in the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh on February 20, India don’t have injury concerns.