CricBengal.com | Sports Desk
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The two experienced batters continued their training at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday, November 1, spending an extended period in the nets and on the centre wicket.
India ODI captain Shubman Gill was not part of the net session, as he had a scheduled gym session during that period.
Auqib Nabi Tests India’s Experienced Batters
After beginning with throwdowns, Kohli and Rohit faced a group of Indian pacers, including Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj.
The bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths, creating several challenging moments for the experienced batters. Nabi, in particular, attracted attention with his ability to use the Auckland breeze and move the ball away from the right-handers.
Both Kohli and Rohit were beaten on the outside edge on a number of occasions. Brar also maintained consistent accuracy, while Kamboj focused on hitting specific lengths.
The session provided the young Indian pacers with an opportunity to test themselves against two of the country’s most experienced ODI batters.
Kohli Extends His Batting Session
Kohli initially faced some difficulty while attempting his drives but continued to play with attacking intent. He gradually found his rhythm with cover drives and shots towards mid-wicket.
Even after Rohit had completed his batting session and moved away to rest, Kohli wanted more time at the crease. He called KL Rahul for an additional round of batting that lasted around 10 minutes.
During the extended session, Kohli worked on his pulls, drives, flicks, cuts and lofted shots. He also sent several deliveries beyond the boundary.
His training did not end with batting. Kohli placed two cones on the ground and completed a series of high-intensity sprints, adding a fitness component to his preparations.
Rohit Trains, Gill Completes a Gym Session
Rohit also spent a considerable amount of time batting. Some deliveries outside the off stump tested him, while he looked more comfortable when playing balls towards his pads.
After finishing his session, the senior batter took some time to rest near the ice box.
Gill, meanwhile, was absent from the nets. Reports indicated that the India captain had a scheduled gym session during that period. There was no indication that his absence was related to an injury.
KL Rahul and Ruturaj Gaikwad also had extended batting sessions as India continued their preparations for the upcoming series.
India Begin ODI Series on November 4
The five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand is scheduled to begin in Auckland on November 4.
The second match will take place in Wellington on November 7, followed by the third in Hamilton on November 10. The final two matches are scheduled for November 13 and 15 in Mount Maunganui.
With the series approaching, Kohli and Rohit’s extended training sessions underline their focus on preparation. The performance of young pacers such as Auqib Nabi in the practice sessions will also be worth watching as the teams move towards the opening match.
CricBengal Analysis: The series offers India an important opportunity to assess its experienced batters and bowling options ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. While Kohli and Rohit bring valuable experience, the presence of emerging pacers adds another dimension to India’s preparations. Practice sessions, however, should not be treated as a direct prediction of match performances.
Sources: Times of India, ICC
Published by: CricBengal.com
