Picture Credit: X
With the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test series currently levelled 1-1 after Australia’s commanding 10-wicket win over India at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, December 8, Cricket Australia on Monday, December 9 confirmed an open training session for fans. However, this take from Cricket Australia (CA) comes after Team India had raised concerns of practicing in front of a fully-packed crowd ahead of Adelaide Test.
After the crowd flocked in large numbers to watch the Indian team hit out in the nets ahead of Adelaide Test, the visitors had reportedly written to CA, as reported by one of their spokesperson. “India have expressed a preference for their remaining training sessions not to be open to the public to minimise potential noise or distractions,” a spokesperson told The Age.
CA announce open training sessions for fans ahead of Gabba Test
But with Team India sticking to their plans to hold the practice sessions behind closed doors, Cricket Australia, on the other hand, have announced an open training session for fans, which is scheduled for Thursday, December 12. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), CA captioned a post which read, “Attention turns to Brisbane! On Thursday, fans are welcome to come watch out Australian men’s team prepare for the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test.”
Net sessions are very private: Rohit Sharma after Adelaide loss
Speaking after India’s 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide, Team India skipper Rohit Sharma when asked regarding the open training sessions, said that these are “very private”. "You know, the net sessions are very private, and this was the first time ever I saw so many people during the nets. And when you're training, when you're practising, there are a lot of conversation that happens, and those conversations are very private. We don't want anyone to hear those conversations. It is as simple as that because there's a lot of planning," Rohit said in the press conference.
“There's a lot of talking that happens. And the crowds are very close to that practice facility. There are five days of Test cricket. They can come and watch us there," he further added. However, the Aussies will flock in to watch the hosts practice ahead of third Test, India are unlikely to opt for an open training session in the remaining series down under.
