Almost all the Indian batters ended their batting sessions with lofted shots. Every few minutes, screams of 'Watch out!' filled the air -- not from the players, but from scribes trying to protect their laptops, cameras, and skulls.
The 61-year-old former first-class cricketer on Tuesday said his son's journey to become the No. 1 T20I batter began when a young Abhishek would insist on batting with his father's kit, trouble his mother, and rope in his two sisters for late-night practice sessions.
When the Indian team entered the ICC Cricket Academy Arena for their evening net session ahead of the Asia Cup, Samson was the first to start his solo keeping drills with fielding coach T Dilip, even as others were just about lumbering up.
India batter Shubman Gill, who missed practice on Wednesday, returned to training at the ICC Cricket Academy on Thursday, putting to rest speculation about his availability for the Champions Trophy match against New Zealand.
'I will watch India's match against New Zealand with no tension -- just enjoy the cricket.'
With little time wasted, the fans captured the cricketers' pictures and videos on their phones, standing a mere 5 metres away and separated only by a barricade and a few security personnel.
'We have been with Team India since the first session and today is the fourth. Shreyas bhai is really joyful around the field.'
The BCCI decided against playing practice games as India is already participating in a three-match ODI series against England.
Richards could mentor the team in the World Cup a role fulfilled by former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden in the last two T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022 where Pakistan reached the semi-final and final.
Kohli took short sprints on the ground. He completed one sprint, took a 30 second break and went at it again, which is a cardio activity that enhances the heart and lung capacities.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 trophy returned to Dubai on Thursday after embarking on a world tour, which started at the ICC headquarters in the city on July 3. The trophy has so far visited India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea.
The announcement comes on the day Malik finished with career best figures of 4 for 33 to fold up England for 306, putting Pakistan in a strong position on Day Three of the ongoing third and final Test against Pakistan at Sharjah on Tuesday.
India salvaged some pride by comfortably beating Sri Lanka by 76 runs in the fifth place semi-final play-off at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, at the ICC Cricket Academy ground in Dubai, on Monday.
England's selectors have yet to decide who will open the batting alongside captain Alastair Cook against Pakistan later this month and will use two warm-up games to choose between Alex Hales or Moeen Ali, coach Trevor Bayliss said on Friday.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances