India’s ODI preparations commence
The Indian cricket team has initiated its preparations for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. The first training session took place at Edgbaston on Saturday, with a focus on batting and bowling drills. This series marks an opportunity for the team to regroup following a challenging run in the shortest format of the game.
During the training session, Virat Kohli engaged in a detailed discussion with ODI skipper Shubman Gill for approximately 30 minutes. Their conversation appeared to centre on batting strategies for the series, with Kohli sharing insights on shot selection, overall strategy, and methods to counter England’s bowling attack. Kohli was observed demonstrating various strokes and exploring potential scoring options with Gill. The two batters concluded their interaction after a two-hour session that included fielding drills and net practice.
Only seven members of the ODI squad participated in the Birmingham training. This was due to the remainder of the Indian squad being in Southampton for the fifth and final T20I against England. That match resulted in a 56-run loss for India, completing a 0-4 series defeat.
The batters involved in the Edgbaston session were Kohli, Gill, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul. The bowling group was led by Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar. To simulate diverse match conditions, the team also utilised local net bowlers, including two spinners and a fast bowler.
Both Kohli and Rohit displayed fluency during their net practice. Kohli, in particular, 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 challenge to 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 Indian support staff, including fielding coach T Dilip, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, and throwdown specialist Dayasagar, were present to oversee the training and fine-tune preparations.
Rohit Sharma’s individual preparation
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, a veteran opener for India, arrived in London ahead of the ODI series to conduct dedicated training sessions. He has been preparing at local cricket clubs in and around London, including Slough and Swyncombe. His early arrival allowed him to acclimate to the conditions and reconnect with long-time friends.
Sharma’s focused training regime 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 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, with images of their meeting shared on social media, captioned ‘Old school vibes just hit different.’
Sharma has already completed several full training sessions at local clubs, facing local bowlers as part of his preparations. He is expected to join the rest of India’s ODI squad in Birmingham for the first match.
Series outlook
The ODI series offers India an opportunity to reset after a disappointing performance in the T20I format. Prior to the 0-4 defeat against England, the team had also experienced a 0-2 T20I series loss in Ireland. The first ODI is scheduled to take place at Edgbaston on July 14.
Following the opening match, the team will travel to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff for the second ODI on July 16. The series will conclude at Lord’s on July 19.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
