As per Indian Express, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not attend the compulsory training session ahead of the third test against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Indian team management, headed by Gautam Gambhir asked the players to turn up for the mandatory practice sessions on October 30 and 31. Both teams will meet in the third test, set to take place from November 1 to 5.
The move comes after India suffered a disappointing series loss against New Zealand, which was their first home test defeat since 2012. It was the first-ever test series victory for the Black Caps on Indian soil.
The first test witnessed the Kiwi team stunning the Indian team to bundle them out for 46 in the first innings, which is their lowest test score in a home test. Thereafter, they secured a clinical victory by eight wickets. In the recent test concluded in Pune, Mitchell Santner spun the web around Indian batters to claim 13 wickets and help New Zealand win by 113 runs.
As a result, there has been a lot of pressure on the Indian team, as they look to avoid a home series whitewash. Interestingly, the last time India was clean swept 2-0 by South Africa in 2000.
Here’s what the source informed Indian Express about the compulsory practice session:
“The team management has asked the players to be present for two days of practice on October 30 and 31. It’s compulsory and no one can skip it.”
Reportedly, the players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have left the team to be with their families and aren’t expected to attend important sessions. Meanwhile, the other players will return to the field after a two day break.
Rohit Sharma’s comments sparks outrage on social media
After a series loss at the hands of New Zealand, Indian test skipper Rohit Sharma appeared in a press conference and answered the questions of the reporters. Rohit’s response to a reporter has gone viral where he thinks that the Indian team can be allowed such performance once in 12 years, with them performing well consistently for the past 12 years.
‘Hitman’ thinks the batting unit have been impressive in tough conditions in the past and people expect them to win every game, based on their results in the past.
“We are allowed one such performance in 12 years. If we were collapsing like this on a regular basis then we would not have been winning at home. We have a lot of expectations. We are expected to win every game at our home, and it is because of our performances.”
The series loss comes at a crucial juncture for the Indian team, as they are at the top of World Test Championship (WTC) standings. They are slated to clash with Australia in a five-test match series and further bad performances can push them out of a place among top two WTC teams.
