India began their Champions Trophy training session on Sunday at the ICC Academy in Dubai. The Rohit Sharma-led side will begin their campaign on Thursday in their Group A fixture against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium, before the proceedings move to the weekend for the mouthwatering clash against Pakistan at the same venue.
According to a report in the Times of India, Virat Kohli was seen talking with the team's local manager about 15 minutes before the team bus arrived following the end of India's gruelling three-hour practice session. When the latter returned, he had a paper bag comprising food from a popular joint.
"It had had few boxes of Kohli's post-session meal. While the others packed their kit bags, Kohli was refueling and even saved a box for the road." read the report.
BCCI recently released a 10-point diktat in the wake of the team's poor performance on the Australia tour. One of those points included: 'Players can no longer bring personal staff like chefs, security guards, or assistants on tours unless explicitly approved by the BCCI.'
Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer put support staff on alert
The report added that Kohli was the first to hit the nets before being joined by Rohit and Hardik Pandya. One had throwdowns, the other had the pacers operating, and the final net was reserved for spinners. While the two senior batters showed patience during their training session, trying to get the feel of the ball, Hardik, accompanied by Shreyas Iyer, went bang-bang against the bowlers they faced. Such was their approach, it put the support staff on alert. "Watch the ball, watch it, ball incoming," one of the support staff members screamed warning security personnel and media near the ropes.
{{/usCountry}}The report added that Kohli was the first to hit the nets before being joined by Rohit and Hardik Pandya. One had throwdowns, the other had the pacers operating, and the final net was reserved for spinners. While the two senior batters showed patience during their training session, trying to get the feel of the ball, Hardik, accompanied by Shreyas Iyer, went bang-bang against the bowlers they faced. Such was their approach, it put the support staff on alert. "Watch the ball, watch it, ball incoming," one of the support staff members screamed warning security personnel and media near the ropes.
{{/usCountry}}Kohli and Rohit, on the other hand, were tested by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami, who bowled close to an hour. The former India captain was tested with deliveries down the stump line, as he executed flick shots and on-drives. The 37-year-old took on incoming deliveries and yorkers from the left-arm pacer.