Fired-up Virat Kohli channels frustration into fierce 45-minute nets session; Rohit Sharma works on Hazlewood problem

Fired-up Virat Kohli channels frustration into fierce 45-minute nets session (AFP Photo)

As the squad prepared for the second ODI of the three-game series against Australia, the Indian top order was the main focus of Tuesday's practice at the Adelaide Oval. Virat Kohli, captain Shubman Gill, and Rohit Sharma combined for just 18 runs before being removed inside the powerplay during India's seven-wicket defeat in the rain-shortened series opener in Perth last week.

The rain that plagued the Indians on Tuesday will continue to be a problem in Thursday's second game. The Gill-led team was anticipated to train indoors in Adelaide due to the weather, according to a report in RevSportz. However, as soon as the rain stopped, the ground crew got the outdoor nets ready for the team's arrival.

The fast bowlers chose to keep it light because damp spots were still a problem. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana bowled to the top-order batsmen for a combined 15 minutes before joining Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna at the gym.

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Rohit, the first batter to hit the nets, according to the report, concentrated on finding a way to counter Josh Hazlewood's hard-length deliveries after the latter had knocked him for eight runs in the opening ODI. Additionally, he was observed exchanging technical inputs and engaging in continuous conversations with Gill.

In a 45-minute intense net grind, Kohli, who had been knocked by Mitchell Starc for an eight-ball duck in Perth, which had further stoked speculation about his role in India's World Cup plans, transformed his annoyance into fire. According to the report, he "asked the throwdown specialists to come full throttle at him" after encountering a few warm-up deliveries. Throughout the practice session, he was observed chatting to himself nonstop and boosting his energy.

Even though he edged the ball several times and mistimed a few shots, Kohli maintained his composure during training, which also included some brilliant pull shots and some sharp drives.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir took an active part in the practice, talking with several players and going over batting strategies with a few.

In Adelaide, Rohit and Kohli will both be anxious to silence their detractors and block out the clamor with a potent batting display. Given that it was their first international match in seven months and that they hadn't played since the IPL 2025 ended in late May, the Perth display revealed considerable rustiness.