File photo: Virat Kohli (PTI Image)
TimesofIndia.com in Birmingham: Virat Kohli spent nearly 30 minutes in a lively one-on-one discussion with ODI skipper Shubman Gill as India began preparations for the three-match series against England with their first training session at Edgbaston on Saturday.The lengthy dialogue appears to be about batting plans for the series, with Kohli offering inputs on shot selection, strategy and ways to handle the England bowling attack across the three matches starting on July 14. The senior batsman was seen demonstrating different strokes and discussing potential scoring options with Gill before the pair left after a two-hour session that included fielding and batting drills.
With the rest of the Indian team in Southampton for the fifth and final T20I against England – a match which India eventually lost by 56 runs to complete the frustrating 0-4 defeat – only seven members of the ODI squad were trained in Birmingham.Kohli, Gill, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were the batsmen involved in the session, while Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Gurnoor Brar led the bowling group. India also used the services of home-grown bowlers, including two spinners and a fast bowler, to replicate different match scenarios.
Kohli and Rohit looked particularly fluent during their time in the nets. Kohli, in particular, showed a range of strokes, driving confidently down the ground, executing paddle passes and playing his trademark flicks well down the leg side. Bumrah and Brar constantly tested the batsmen by hitting the deck hard and extracting bounce, ensuring an intense opening session.Kuldeep also had an extended spell, while the local spinners provided the batsmen with additional variety in preparation for English conditions.The Indian support staff, including fielding coach T Dileep, bowling coach Sairaj Bahotuli and bowling specialist Dayasagar, oversaw the training session as the visitors began fine-tuning their preparations.The ODI series now offers India a chance to reset itself after a disappointing outing in the shortest format. The team arrived in England after a 0-2 defeat in the T20I series in Ireland before suffering a comprehensive 0-4 defeat to England.India will start the ODI series at Edgbaston on July 14 before traveling to Sophia Gardens in Cardiff for the second match on July 16. The series concludes at Lord’s on July 19.