DRS, Oct 22: Ro-Ko hit Adelaide nets; Pant returns; Sanju Samson begins prep
Tuesday, October 21, was the second day of Diwali, with celebrations continuing across India. But back in Australia, Team India did not have the time for it. While Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma practised for nearly an hour, Sanju Samson began his preparations ahead of the IND vs AUS T20I series. Rishabh Pant also got a return date as the BCCI announced the India A squad for the South Africa A series. However, not everything went smoothly. The Asia Cup trophy row continues as ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi refuses to hand it over to the winning team, India.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s World Cup, South Africa braved Colombo rain to claim top spot. In a rain-marred match, South Africa beat Pakistan by 150 runs. South Africa posted 312/9 in 40 overs batting first after rain interrupted the 1st innings, curtailing it by 10 overs. Proteas made the most of the conditions, thanks to Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk. But the rain stopped their march in the 2nd essay. Pakistan were 48/4 as they received a target of 262 in 25 overs on the DLS method. But rain lashed out once again. The target was revised again to 234 in 20 overs. In the end, Pakistan could only manage 83/7.
Rohit-Kohli practice in Adelaide
After scoring 8 and 0 respectively, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not waste any time after reaching Adelaide. Former India captain Rohit and Virat batted for nearly an hour at the Adelaide Oval nets. The return of the celebrated duo did not go as planned in Perth as India suffered a 7-wicket defeat to go 0-1 down in the three-match IND vs AUS ODI series. Kohli faced a similar problem as the delivery outside off stump continued to haunt him. Rohit looked rusty in his 14-ball stay. With Adelaide set to aid batters, it will be a good time for Rohit-Kohli to get their rhythm back after enjoying an eight-month-long break.
πππ¦π π ππππ¬
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 21, 2025#TeamIndia players grinding it out in Adelaide ahead of the 2⃣nd #AUSvIND ODI
pic.twitter.com/IhAs5IeUEI
Rishabh Pant returns
After three months on the sidelines, Rishabh Pant is all set to return. As the BCCI announced the India A squad for the South Africa A series, Pant was named captain for both four-day matches. Pant broke his foot while facing a Chris Woakes delivery at Old Trafford in the 4th Test against England. He came to bat with a broken foot in the 2nd innings. But he was ruled out of the 5th Test, the Asia Cup, the Test series against West Indies at home and the Australia tour. With the IND vs SA Test series set to begin on November 14, the two matches in Bengaluru will help Rishabh Pant get some much-needed match practice.
Asia Cup trophy row
It has been nearly a month since Team India won the Asia Cup, but they have yet to receive the trophy. In a standoff between the BCCI and Mohsin Naqvi, the trophy has remained locked in the Asian Cricket Council’s Dubai office. The BCCI found support in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka as they sent an email to Naqvi, the ACC chief, requesting that the trophy be handed over. However, Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, refused to hand the trophy over without an official ceremony. Team India refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi on September 28 after winning the Asia Cup, following Naqvi’s inflammatory comments and political associations during Operation Sindoor. The BCCI is also set to ask ICC to intervene to resolve the matter.
Kuldeep in Adelaide?
With India down 0-1 in the IND vs AUS ODI series, they need to win the Adelaide ODI to keep the series alive. After benching their best spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, in Perth in favour of Washington Sundar, an all-rounder, Team India could get him back in Adelaide. While head coach Gautam Gambhir has not trusted Kuldeep of late, the chinaman has often proved to be India’s match-winner. However, with India in a must-win situation, Gambhir could look at the bench and bring Kuldeep back.
Sanju Samson prep
After facing a snub from the India ODI squad, Sanju Samson is preparing for the IND vs AUS T20I series. The Kerala star did not have a good Asia Cup campaign as he struggled to fit into the new role at No 5. However, for Kerala, he scored a half-century in the Ranji Trophy to warm up for the T20I series. Before he travels to Australia this week, Samson linked up with RCB’s throwdown specialist Gabriel. The five-match T20I series is crucial for Samson as India will have only 10 T20Is to prepare for the T20 World Cup. If Samson fails in Australia, Team India might look at Jitesh Sharma or Rishabh Pant once again.
Why no Sarfaraz Khan?
In other baffling news of the day, Sarfaraz Khan found no place in the India A squad for South Africa series. The Mumbaikar has been out of India Test side since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He did not play a match in Australia and returned home to nurse an injury. However, since returning from injury, he scored a century in the Buchi Babu tournament, but he was snubbed from India A series against Australia, Irani Cup, and the Test series against West Indies. Now, despite shedding 10 kilos of weight to be fit and scoring 42 and 32 in the Ranji Trophy, he has found no place in the India A squad for the South Africa A series.
The post DRS, Oct 22: Ro-Ko hit Adelaide nets; Pant returns; Sanju Samson begins prep appeared first on Inside Sport India.
from feed - Inside Sport India https://ift.tt/N7nJTYr
via IFTTT
Comments
Post a Comment