India Prepares for T20 World Cup with Warm-Up Match Against Bangladesh

India is set to face Bangladesh in their only warm-up match ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Blue will then kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Practice Sessions in New York

India held their first practice session in New York, with the notable absence of Virat Kohli, who had requested an extended break following the Indian Premier League 2024. Kohli remained in Mumbai while the rest of the squad traveled to New York in batches.

Key Highlights from the Practice Session:

• Fielding Drills: The session began with intense fielding drills under the supervision of fielding coach T Dilip.
• Batting Practice: Suryakumar Yadav focused on facing throwdowns, while captain Rohit Sharma faced Khaleel Ahmed, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Ravindra Jadeja. Rohit also had an extensive discussion with all-rounder Shivam Dube regarding bowling strategies on the drop-in pitch at Cantiague Park.
• Rinku Singh in Form: Rinku Singh appeared to be in good touch with the bat.
• Vice-Captain Hardik Pandya: Pandya spent significant time with batting coach Vikram Rathour, who guided his head position, stance, and footwork.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal: Jaiswal also had a lengthy batting session, honing his skills ahead of the World Cup.

Kohli’s Absence and Dube’s Role

Virat Kohli’s absence was notable, as he opted for rest after a demanding IPL season. Shivam Dube, who had limited bowling opportunities during IPL 2024, received specific guidance from Rohit Sharma. Sharma focused on the lengths and types of shots that batters might play against Dube, emphasizing the strategic elements of bowling on the specific pitch conditions expected in New York.

Upcoming Schedule

India’s schedule is packed, starting with the warm-up match against Bangladesh, followed by the crucial opener against Ireland. The practice sessions in New York have been crucial for the team to acclimatize and fine-tune their strategies for the T20 World Cup.

India’s T20 World Cup Schedule:

• Warm-Up Match: India vs. Bangladesh
• First Match: India vs. Ireland on June 5 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

The team’s preparation and strategic planning are in full swing as they aim to make a strong start in the T20 World Cup. The leadership of Rohit Sharma, coupled with the expertise of the coaching staff, is expected to guide the team through these crucial preparatory stages.