Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remained unfazed by the increasing speculation about their future roles, concentrating instead on an intense net session under the floodlights ahead of India’s second ODI against South Africa on Wednesday. Discussions around the senior pair have gained momentum, particularly in the context of the path to the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.
Coming off consecutive match-winning performances against Australia and South Africa, both Kohli and Rohit showed no signs of slowing down during Tuesday’s practice. Kohli appeared focused and aggressive, taking on throw-down specialists Raghu (right-arm) and Nuwan Seneviratne (left-arm), who consistently challenged him throughout the session.
The contest was gripping, with Kohli consistently timing his shots, though Raghu’s extra pace occasionally got the better of him. Head coach Gautam Gambhir stood between the two nets, watching the session attentively. After finishing his batting, Kohli rested both bats on his shoulders and walked past Gambhir without a word, a moment likely to draw attention given the recent discussions around Indian cricket.
Rohit And Kohli Lead Intense Nets As India Prepares For 2nd ODI
Rohit, who followed Kohli into the nets and later toward the dressing room, paused briefly for a chat with Gambhir before heading inside. While attention naturally focused on the two senior players, the intensity of training remained high across all nets as India aim to seal the series after taking a 1-0 lead with Sunday’s win in Ranchi.
With the match set to be played on a black-soil pitch at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, the batting unit trained with purpose, displaying aggression from the start. Yashasvi Jaiswal sent several deliveries flying over the leg-side boundary and even bowled to Rishabh Pant, the last batter to take his turn in the nets.
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