Picture Credit: Twitter
India and England are just one night away from facing each other in the much-anticipated fifth rescheduled Test at Edgbaston. Both teams are itching to take the field. While England are eager to replicate what they did against New Zealand, India are eyeing writing history on England soil by winning the fifth Test.
As the pressure for the big game builds, England coach Brendon McCullum tried to release some of it by introducing a unique fielding drill. The drill involved a tennis ball and racket. The players were divided into groups of two.
The coach then hit the ball in the air with the help of the tennis racket. Both teams had one player with a helmet on whose job was to deflect the ball coming down into the hands of one of the fielders surrounding him.
The players seemed to be enjoying this unique drill. An English journalist shared the video with the caption, “England play this mad new game at training now. McCullum whacks a tennis ball into the air, a (helmeted) coach has to head it, and the players catch. Vibes.”
While the England cricket team fans looked elated at seeing their player enjoying a unique drill, it felt like Deja Vu for some of the Indian cricket team fans. Seeing this drill reminded them of India’s practice session from their 2021 tour to England where they had practiced with these exact same drills.
A user shared the video of the Indian cricket team doing the same drill and wrote “Literally did it there only last time”.
While England coach McCullum might have taken a leaf out of India’s fielding drills from last year, the India team will look to emulate England’s performance against New Zealand when they meet them on Friday. It would not be an easy task for India with their regular skipper out. With no Rohit Sharma in the team, Virat Kohli’s experience as the leader of the group will come in handy in the must-win match for India.