Team India has banned open training sessions for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Around 5,000 spectators gathered at the Adelaide Oval to watch their favorite stars train on Tuesday night.
An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 fans were at the Adelaide Oval cheering on big stars like Virat Kohli. Spectators were around the nets and also during the players’ fielding drills.
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Team India bans open training
With the team banning open training, sessions in Brisbane and Sydney will not take place as planned now. It is believed that the players are uncomfortable with the carnival atmosphere surrounding the field and are distracted by it.
While the Indian players have been made uncomfortable, the Australian players’ training sessions will remain open to spectators. Training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is always open as the outdoor nets are situated in the public space outside the ground.
Earlier in the day, the players were welcomed like superstars by a group of fans who also attended Australia’s training session. A source closer to the BCCI revealed that the players were asked about selfie requests when they were batting.
Constant squeaks that annoy players.
There was a constant chirping around their ears as spectators regularly commented on the players’ actions. Some of the players even faced mocking and irritable laughter after leaving or being beaten.
At most Australian venues, fans can watch training before a Test match. Cricket Australia discussed the matter with the BCCI before the latter agreed to the open session in Adelaide.
“India has expressed a preference for its remaining training sessions not to be open to the public to minimize potential noise or distractions,” a CA spokesperson said, quoted by The Age.
Earlier, the Men in Blue had secretly prepared for the first Test match in Perth behind closed doors with strict surveillance around the team. Typically, the Men in Blue train openly for white-ball and IPL matches. However, the team management understands the need to prepare more privately for the test matches.
KL Rahul talks about India’s preparations
When asked about such a unique preparation, India opener KL Rahul stated that it was very different but admitted that preparation for the Test match is important and needs to be done differently.
“Very different. I’m not used to it. We have practice with crowds but at home it is mainly T20 and ODI, we have had crowds come and watch our practice sessions,” Rahul told reporters.
The second Test between Australia and India will be played in Adelaide from December 6. The Men in Blue currently lead the five-match Test series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Perth by a convincing margin.