Several members of India’s T20I squad began their preparations for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand with an optional training session at the New VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Sunday. The venue will host the series opener on January 21, which also marks India’s final assignment in the format before they begin their Men’s T20 World Cup title defence on February 7.
India’s T20 team players turn up in Nagpur
India captain Suryakumar Yadav was among those present for the session, along with Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy and Sanju Samson. The optional practice ran from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and focused on fitness drills and skill-based training.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya skipped Sunday’s session but is expected to join the squad for the practice under lights scheduled for Monday evening. A Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) official confirmed that another training session will be held from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Monday, adding that Pandya could take part.
“The members of India’s T20I team turned up for an optional practice session focused on fitness and skill training. Another session is scheduled on Monday evening, and it’s possible Hardik may join then,” the VCA official told IANS.
The rest of the Indian T20 squad, currently engaged in the ODI series in Indore, is expected to arrive in Nagpur on Monday afternoon, along with the New Zealand team.
Following the opening T20I in Nagpur, the series will move to Raipur on January 23, Guwahati on January 25, Visakhapatnam on January 28 and conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31.
India recently made changes to the T20I squad, drafting in leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer as replacements for Washington Sundar (side strain) and Tilak Varma (lower abdomen surgery). Iyer will be available only for the first three matches, with Varma expected to regain fitness in time for the final two games.
Meanwhile, both teams are currently contesting a three-match ODI series, with the third and final match being played in Indore on Sunday.
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