Team India have banned open training sessions for the rest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Around 5000 spectators gathered at the Adelaide Oval to see their favorite stars train on Tuesday night.
Around 3000-5000 fans were estimated to be at the Adelaide Oval as they cheered for big stars like Virat Kohli. The spectators were around the nets and were also during the fielding drills of the players.
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Team India bans open training sessions
With the team banning open training sessions, the sessions in Brisbane and Sydney will not go ahead as planned now. The players are believed to be feeling uncomfortable with the carnival atmosphere around the ground and are being distracted by it.
While the Indian players have been feeling uncomfortable, the training sessions of Australian players will remain open to the spectators. The 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 greeted 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 the requests for selfies when they were batting.
Constant chirping disturbing the players
There was constant chirping around their ears as the spectators did regular commentary of the players’ actions. Some of the players even faced mocking and irritable laughing after they got out or were beaten.
In most of the Australian venues, the fans are allowed to watch the training ahead of a Test match. Cricket Australia has discussed the matter with the BCCI before the latter agreed to the open session in Adelaide.
“India have expressed a preference for their remaining training sessions not to be open to the public to minimise potential noise or distractions,” a CA spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Age.
Earlier, the Men in Blue had prepared secretly for the first test match at Perth behind closed doors with some tightly guided security around the team. Usually, the Men in Blue train openly for white-ball matches and IPL. However, the team management understands the need to prepare more privately for Test matches.
KL Rahul speaks on India’s preparations
When asked about such a unique preparation, India opener KL Rahul claimed it to be very different but admitted that Test match preparation is an important one and needs to be done differently.
“Very different. Not used to it. We have practice with crowds but it’s mostly T20 and ODIs back home, we’ve had crowds come in and watch our practice sessions,” Rahul said to the reporters.
The second Test between Australia and India will be played in Adelaide from December 6. The Men in Blue are currently leading the five-match Test series 1-0 after winning the first Test at Perth by a convincing margin.