World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli enjoys extended net session in Chennai ahead of opening match vs Australia

Virat Kohli returned to training after a short break and sweated it out in an extended net session that took center stage in India’s first practice session ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia this Sunday.

Kohli underwent the usual throw-ins for an extended period before facing some local net bowlers. Originally planned as a two-hour training session, Kohli dedicated an extra 45 minutes to make up for the team’s missed warm-up games, crucial for simulation.

India’s absence from their CWC warm-up matches isn’t a significant setback, as they had recently played a three-match ODI series against Australia. Although Kohli didn’t participate in the first two games of the series, he managed a composed innings of 56 runs off 61 balls in the final ODI in Rajkot.

In addition to Kohli, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, along with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, also put in some rigorous training in the nets. Jadeja began with bowling but also had a batting session, while Kuldeep and Pandya focused on their bowling skills before Pandya had a brief batting session.

The remaining team members, including captain-cum-opener Rohit Sharma, were absent from the training session as Sharma was in Ahmedabad for a pre-competition press conference.

India are scheduled to have more training sessions in the coming days before facing Australia on Sunday.

WORLD CUP 2023 TO BEGIN

The stage is set for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, with all 10 captains convening at Ahmedabad’s colossal cricket stadium, the world’s largest, on the eve of what promises to be the grandest Cricket World Cup in history.

Over the next 45 days, a total of 48 matches will unfold at ten world-class venues. The tournament kicks off with a rematch of the 2019 Final, featuring England and New Zealand as they face off tomorrow at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Before this momentous match, a notable event took place: the official ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 photograph was captured at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with renowned celebrity photographer Rohan Shrestha at the helm. Moreover, an interactive panel session was held where the 10 captains expressed their thoughts and aspirations for the forthcoming six weeks, facilitated by host Ravi Shastri and England’s triumphant captain, Eoin Morgan.