A different training session for India ahead of the IND vs AUS 2nd ODI of the 3-match series. Star players like Virat Kohli, captain Shubman Gill, and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer were not there during the training season. 

Tomorrow, October 23, marks the crucial second One Day International (ODI) between the Indian cricket team and the Australian cricket team. With the Aussies already securing a win in the opening fixture, they hold a significant advantage and are positioned to wrap up the bilateral series with a second consecutive victory.

For the Men in Blue, this limited-overs cricket encounter is a must-win game to keep their hopes alive. A triumph at the historic Adelaide Oval would level the scoreline equalizer at 1-1, pushing the competition to a thrilling series decider.

Conversely, a loss would hand Australia the series victory before the final match of the three-match series. The day before the competitive fixture, North Adelaide's weather was reported as sunny but featured very windy and cold ground conditions. Players were notably seen in heavy jackets even during the net practice.

More than just batting practice, the supporting staff and coaches appeared strategically focused on the pace attack and bowling session. Specifically, Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel dedicated considerable time to pacer Mohammed Siraj, while all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and spin option Kuldeep Yadav also looked intense during the training drills and team preparation.

Read More: WATCH: Gautam Gambhir-Ajit Agarkar set to Snub Rohit Sharma from IND vs AUS 2nd ODI! Shocking Video ahead of match

Why Virat, Gill and Iyer were not in the net?

Most players on the team roster were present for the optional practice session, though notable key players including star batsman Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Virat Kohli chose to skip the day, as is their option. In the previous match review, India suffered an unconventional defeat against the home team.

On a challenging bouncy pitch, the star-studded lineup of top-order batters experienced a quick batting collapse analysis. Only Axar Patel and middle-order stability provider KL Rahul managed to push the team's run wheel.

Despite his break, team captain Rohit Sharma was present, demonstrating aggressive intent as he rehearsed his batting and paid meticulous focus on his shot timing in the net session. Left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal also participated, undertaking both skill practice for batting and working on his bowling workload.

Wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel were quite active with their batting in the nets. Furthermore, Rahul spent time on his wicketkeeping drills. Crucially, the latest fitness report confirms there are currently no injury threats in the Men in Blue brigade, which is a positive sign for the remainder of the series.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which key Indian players missed the recent optional training session, and why?

Star batsman Virat Kohli, along with top-order batters Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, skipped the optional practice session. As the name suggests, attendance was optional, allowing these key players to prioritize rest and recovery ahead of the crucial series fixture.

What was the main focus of the Indian team's coaching staff during the net session?

Following the unconventional defeat in the previous match, the coaching staff's primary strategic focus was on the bowling unit. Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel spent significant time with pacer Mohammed Siraj, fine-tuning the pace attack for the challenging ground conditions.

Which two Indian batters showed the most resilience during the recent batting collapse?

In the previous match where the star-studded lineup suffered a quick batting collapse analysis on a bouncy pitch, only all-rounder Axar Patel and wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul managed to provide some middle-order stability and push the team's run total.

What specific drills did KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma focus on during their training time?

Team captain Rohit Sharma was seen at the net session practicing his rehearsed batting, dedicating time to improving his shot timing. Wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul was active with both his batting and, notably, also performed wicketkeeping drills.

Are there any injury concerns for the Indian team ahead of the next competitive fixture?

No. The latest fitness report for the Indian squad confirms that there are currently no injury threats reported in the Men in Blue brigade ahead of the upcoming competitive fixture at the Adelaide Oval.