India Prepares Amid Drama, Determination, and Confidence at the MCG

The Indian cricket team remained unfazed by injury concerns surrounding captain Rohit Sharma after he was struck on the knee during a training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday. Rohit required brief attention from the physio but appeared to recover swiftly. Fast bowler Akash Deep, who also endured a minor blow while batting, dismissed any worries about their fitness, noting such incidents are routine in cricket.

During the session, Rohit, now embracing his middle-order role, began practising against spin while allowing KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill to face the new ball. However, while attempting a pull shot, he misjudged the ball, which bypassed his pad to hit his knee. After receiving treatment, including icing and elevating the leg, Rohit seemed in good spirits, walking around and engaging in light conversations with teammates and coaches.

India’s visit to Melbourne has been anything but uneventful. From Virat Kohli’s arrival drawing significant attention at the airport to misunderstandings over media coverage and language during interactions, the team has experienced a flurry of off-field events. At the nets, Akash Deep addressed the press, pointing out that such training injuries are part and parcel of the game. He explained that the practice pitch, likely tailored for white-ball cricket, occasionally caused the ball to keep low.

The team’s first training session on Saturday saw head coach Gautam Gambhir spending considerable time with Rishabh Pant, who practised under his watchful eye. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna, initially touring with India A before joining the senior team, showcased his skills in the nets. Krishna’s recent performances at the MCG, including a standout 4 for 50 against Australia A, underscore his growing confidence.

The practice sessions also attracted several fans, with public viewing points allowing glimpses of the team in action. A young fan expressed her disappointment when players didn’t respond to her efforts to catch their attention, saying they could at least smile if not wave.

As India gears up for the Boxing Day Test with the series tied at 1-1, focus has shifted to the pitch. The surface, sporting a fair amount of grass, is expected to undergo some trimming before the match. The MCG’s character has transformed over the years, leaning more toward bowlers. India’s last visit in 2020 marked a remarkable comeback after the infamous 36 all-out in Adelaide, with an eight-wicket victory at this venue. More recently, Scott Boland’s astonishing 6 for 7 dismantled England here, underscoring the pitch’s unpredictable nature.

Akash Deep, reflecting on his brief but impactful contributions, recalled his defiant knock at No. 11 in Brisbane, where he helped India avoid a follow-on with a powerful six off Pat Cummins. 

"At the time we come in to bat, scoring those 20-30 runs are very important. My mindset is to contribute in whatever way I can and that day my mindset, I didn't think about saving the follow-on, I just didn't want to get out. And when you do well from that situation it gives confidence and that's the confidence that the team was able to see in me and I was really happy," told Akash.

Akash also shared his on-field duel with Steven Smith, where he managed to beat the batter on multiple occasions but was unable to claim his wicket. He acknowledged the unpredictability of cricket, noting the importance of maintaining discipline and focus while bowling. 

"At the time, I felt like, the skill with which I bowled, a lot of the times he was getting beaten on the inside edge and the outside edge and I felt that sometimes 'what is this luck that I have, I can't get him out'. But then I realised that the wicket is not in our hands. What we have in our hands is just bowling well. Bowling in the right areas."