India’s Preparations Underway
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 concentrated efforts from key players as they geared up for the series, which is scheduled to begin on July 14.
A notable interaction during the training was a lengthy discussion between Virat Kohli and ODI skipper Shubman Gill. Their animated one-on-one conversation lasted for approximately 30 minutes. The exchange appeared to focus on batting strategies for the series, with Kohli sharing insights on shot selection, overall strategy, and methods to counter England‘s bowling attack across the three matches. Kohli was observed demonstrating various strokes and discussing potential scoring options with Gill before their two-hour session concluded.
The training session included fielding drills and batting practice in the nets. Only seven members of the ODI squad participated in the Birmingham session. This was because the remainder of the Indian squad was in Southampton for the fifth and final T20I against England. That particular match resulted in a 56-run loss for India, completing a 0-4 series defeat in the shortest format.
Key Players in Action
The batters involved in the training session included Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul. The bowling contingent was led by Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar. To simulate diverse match conditions, the team also utilised local net bowlers, comprising two spinners and a fast bowler.
Both Kohli and Rohit displayed fluency during their time in the nets. Kohli, in particular, showcased a wide range of strokes, including confident drives down the ground, paddle sweeps, and his characteristic flicks down the leg side. Bumrah and Brar provided an intense challenge for the batters by consistently hitting the deck hard and generating bounce. Kuldeep also had an extended bowling spell, while the local spinners offered additional variety to help the batters prepare for English conditions.
The support staff, including fielding coach T Dilip, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, and throwdown specialist Dayasagar, supervised the training session, ensuring the visitors fine-tuned their preparations for the upcoming series.
Rohit Sharma’s Early Arrival and Focus
Rohit Sharma, a veteran opener, arrived in London well in advance of the ODI series to undertake dedicated training sessions. He has been training at local cricket clubs in and around London, including Slough and Swyncombe. His early arrival allowed him to settle into the conditions and reconnect with old friends. Sharma recently shared pictures on social media with the caption, ‘Old school vibes just hit different,’ which resonated with fans.
Sharma‘s dedicated training regime included full-fledged sessions where he faced local bowlers as part of his preparations. His early arrival follows his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026, which had limited his playing time before the England tour. Now fully fit, Sharma is focused on the 50-over format, having retired from Tests and T20Is. He will join the rest of India‘s ODI squad in Birmingham for the first match.
The ODI series offers India an opportunity to reset after a challenging run in the T20I format, which included a 0-2 series defeat in Ireland before the 0-4 loss to England. The series will commence at Edgbaston on July 14, followed by the second match at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on July 16, and will conclude at Lord’s on July 19.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
