The Indian cricket team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, encountered an unpleasant experience during an open practice session in Adelaide ahead of the day-night Test against Australia. A massive crowd of approximately 3,000 fans gathered to watch the team prepare with the pink ball for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
While the presence of fans added enthusiasm, it also caused significant disruption. Some fans passed rude remarks and constantly requested selfies, making it difficult for players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant to focus. Concerns over player safety and distractions prompted the BCCI to take swift action, cancelling public access to further practice sessions in Adelaide and Sydney.
Chaos and Disruptive Behavior
Unlike the Australian team’s quieter practice session with only 70 spectators, India’s training drew an unexpectedly large turnout. According to a BCCI official, the chaos escalated as fans shouted comments, live-streamed the session and harassed players.
Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant faced demands to hit sixes, while other players were body-shamed or subjected to insensitive remarks. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill narrowly avoided being mobbed by the crowd. A fan even persistently urged a player to greet him in Gujarati. Such behaviour led to concerns over the players’ ability to prepare effectively for the crucial match.
“Yes, the training will not be accessible to the general public now. The players were heckled during the open session on Tuesday. So many selfie requests when players are trying to prepare for the crucial series. The entire situation could have been dealt with better. Public won’t be allowed access to training sessions, however, media can come and see the players train,” the source told Hindustan Times.
“It was complete chaos. During the Australian training session, not more than 70-odd people turned up but during India’s session, 3000 came. No one expected so many fans to turn up,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. “There was another fans’ day in Sydney (ahead of the fifth Test), which stands cancelled as players were very disturbed by the rude and insensitive comments that were passed (here).”
An eyewitness also said that fans commented badly to captain Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant and commented on another player’s fitness as well.
“Virat (Kohli) and Shubman Gill could have been mobbed because of so many people. Some were doing Facebook live with friends and talking loudly just as the batter took stance,” he said. “One supporter continuously urged a player to say ‘hi’ to him in Gujarati. Another particular cricketer was body-shamed.”
The game in Adelaide will be a day-night Test match, followed by matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney as well.
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