As India put final touches to their preparations for the three-ODI series against New Zealand that will begin in Vadodara on Sunday, former India captain Rohit Sharma gave batting advice to Mohammed Siraj and Rishabh Pant temporarily required medical attention after being hit during net practice.
When Siraj, who was in early, failed to connect while attempting to hoick the ball, Rohit was waiting outside the net. The bowler, who had only a batting stint in the nets during India’s optional training session on Saturday, received some advice from the India opener. Other members also showed up for the nets on Saturday.
After leading Mumbai in their close one-run defeat to Punjab on Thursday in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s vice-captain Shreyas Iyer batted alongside KL Rahul. Pant and Ravindra Jadeja both got a hit in the nets.
Siraj, Iyer, and Pant were all occupied with playing for their state teams in the Vijay Hazare Trophy; their most recent appearance was on January 8.
However, while batting against Indian throwdown experts, Pant took a blow just above his waist, leaving him grimacing in pain. The team’s support personnel and other players, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, came to his aid.
Following some initial care, Pant left the Ground B of the BCA Stadium, where India skipper Shubman Gill was observed engaging in a lengthy conversation with Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors.
On Sunday, the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium will host its maiden men’s international match as part of a three-ODI series against a revamped New Zealand team.
On January 14, the second ODI will take place in Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium, and the third and final ODI will take place at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.
