Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma was the only frontline batter who skipped the nets during a practice session on Wednesday ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy 2025 match against New Zealand, according to a report by Times of India. While the entire squad trained at the ICC Academy, Rohit stayed away from any intense physical drills.
Although all players warmed up by playing football and running laps, Rohit did not engage in strenuous activities. Instead, he jogged lightly under the supervision of Strength & Conditioning coach Soham Desai but was reportedly not moving freely. The report suggested that his hamstring injury from the Pakistan match could still be bothering him, despite his assurance during the post-match presentation that he was fine and there was no reason for concern.
Rohit Sharma Limited Training & Tactical Discussions
Unlike his teammates, Rohit did not face any throwdowns or participate in batting drills. Instead, he focused on shadow batting while having detailed discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the rest of the coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli made the most of the session, spending a significant amount of time practicing against spinners. He faced deliveries from Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja, sharpening his game ahead of the New Zealand clash. Kohli also spent over half an hour facing net bowlers, ensuring he was fully prepared for the upcoming contest.
Bowlers Show Intent Under Morkel’s Supervision
With bowling coach Morne Morkel rejoining the squad after attending to a personal emergency, India’s bowling attack looked sharp and ready.
Mohammed Shami bowled at full pace, swinging the ball both ways and even rapping Kohli on the pads twice. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh also showcased determination, pushing themselves to deliver their best in the session.
Under Morkel’s watchful eye, India’s bowlers appeared focused and well-prepared to take on New Zealand in what promises to be a high-stakes battle on Sunday.
As Team India prepares for the Champions Trophy 2025, they are closely monitoring Rohit’s fitness and ensuring key players fine-tune their skills, leaving no stone unturned.
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