India’s ODI Squad Begins Preparations
The Indian cricket team has commenced its preparations for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. The first training session took place at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday. This initial session saw a focused approach from the team, particularly from key batters.
A notable interaction during the training was a lengthy discussion between Virat Kohli and ODI skipper Shubman Gill. Their conversation, which lasted close to 30 minutes, appeared to center on batting strategies for the series. Kohli was observed providing insights on shot selection, overall strategy, and methods to counter England’s bowling attack across the three matches. He also demonstrated various strokes and discussed potential scoring options with Gill before they concluded their two-hour session, which included fielding drills and net batting.
Only seven members of the ODI squad participated in the Birmingham training session. This was due to the rest of the Indian squad being in Southampton for the fifth and final T20I against England. The T20I match resulted in a 56-run loss for India, completing a 0-4 series defeat. The ODI series now offers India an opportunity to reset after a challenging run in the shortest format, which also included a 0-2 T20I series defeat in Ireland before the comprehensive loss to England.
The batters involved in the Edgbaston session included Kohli, Gill, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul. The bowling group was led by Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar. To simulate various match conditions, India also utilised local net bowlers, including two spinners and a fast bowler.
During their time in the nets, Kohli and Rohit displayed particular fluency. Kohli showcased a range of strokes, driving confidently, executing paddle sweeps, and playing his characteristic flicks down the leg side. Bumrah and Brar provided an intense opening session by consistently testing the batters with hard-hitting deliveries and extracting bounce. Kuldeep also had an extended bowling spell, while the local spinners offered additional variety for the batters to prepare for English conditions.
The training session was overseen by India’s support staff, including fielding coach T Dilip, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, and throwdown specialist Dayasagar, as the team began its final preparations for the series.
Rohit Sharma’s Early Arrival and Dedicated Training
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, a veteran opener, arrived in London early to prepare for the ODI series against England. He has been engaging in dedicated training sessions at local cricket clubs in and around London, including Slough and Swyncombe. This early arrival allowed him extra time to adjust to the conditions and reconnect with old friends.
Sharma’s preparation follows his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026, which had limited his playing time before the England tour. Now fully fit, he is concentrating on the 50-over format, having retired from Tests and T20Is. He was recently seen enjoying an outing with a childhood friend and former teammate, sharing pictures on social media with the caption, ‘Old school vibes just hit different.’
Reports indicate that Rohit has already completed several full training sessions at local clubs. He first trained at Slough Cricket Club in Berkshire before moving to Swyncombe Cricket Club, where he faced local bowlers as part of his preparations. This proactive approach underscores his determination to perform well in the upcoming series.
The Indian ODI squad will join Rohit in Birmingham for the first match. The series is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on July 14. Following this, the team will travel to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff for the second match on July 16. The series will conclude at Lord’s on July 19.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
