Former India skipper Rohit Sharma may have played his last international match a good seven months ago, but he looked in fine touch during a two-hour practice at the Shivaji Park on Friday afternoon in preparation for the upcoming Australia tour.
Rohit, who is part of the Shubman Gill-led Indian team that will play a three-match ODI series Down Under, beginning at Perth on October 19, was involved in an intense training session at Mumbai’s iconic maidan’s Mahim Juvenile Sports Club nets under the supervision of former Team India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and alongside his good friend and ex-Mumbai Ranji Trophy teammate Bhavin Thakkar.
Preparation for ODIs vs Aus
“Rohit thoroughly enjoyed today’s [Friday] practice session. He was simply reliving his maidan cricket days. He is very serious about his preparation for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. He’s in good touch and will definitely showcase his class against the Aussies,” Thakkar told mid-day on Friday.
Rohit Sharma (centre) is surrounded by fans as he leaves Shivaji Park following a practice session on Friday
When asked if there seemed to be anything lacking in Rohit’s batting, considering he will be playing international cricket after a long gap, Thakkar replied in the negative. “Rohit was batting very nicely, middling the ball with ease with some perfect cricketing shots. We are confident we will see him playing and performing like he always has and will help India win matches,” added Thakkar, 43, who was Rohit’s teammate when the stylish batter made his Ranji debut for Mumbai scoring a match-winning 267-ball 205 against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium in 2006-07.
Thakkar reckoned that the former India captain is just as determined and committed now as he was then: “There is no difference in his approach [to the game]. He’s the same hungry batsman who wants to score big runs. Our academy bowlers were bowling to him and he was negotiating them effortlessly. The only difference is that he has lost quite a lot of weight and looks more fitter now.”
‘Proud moment for me’
Revealing details about the net session, Thakkar said: “We started practice at around 11am and Rohit trained for over two hours. Abhishek was there and being his former Mumbai teammate and friend, it was a proud moment for me too to be present by his side.”
Hundreds of fans gathered to watch their favourite cricketer batting at Shivaji Park and Rohit obliged quite a few with autographs too. “While our bowlers enjoyed bowling to Rohit, handling the crowd was tough. Somehow, our coaches managed,” Thakkar signed off.