Kohli, Gill nearly mobbed; Rohit and Pant face rude comments as Indian players heckled and body shamed in Adelaide

In a recent announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled revised dates for nine upcoming ICC World Cup fixtures later this year, bringing about noteworthy changes for cricket enthusiasts.

Of particular significance, the eagerly awaited encounter between India and Pakistan, initially planned for October 15 in Ahmedabad, has now been moved forward to October 14, intensifying the excitement surrounding this marquee match.

As a result of this modification, the game between England and Afghanistan, originally designated for October 14 in Delhi, has been shifted to October 15, presenting fans with a day of back-to-back thrilling matches.

The summary

Indian cricketers, including captain Rohit Sharma and star players Virat Kohli and Pant, were heckled in Adelaide, forcing BCCI to take strict action.

BCCI cancelled open practice sessions for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after chaos reigned supreme in Adelaide. India’s second practice session ahead of the day-night Test against Australia was strictly turned into a media-only event after the members of Team India, including captain Rohit Sharma and star cricketers Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant, were “heckled” during their practice session on Tuesday. Close to 3000 fans gathered around the nets to catch a glimpse of the Indian cricketers training with the pink ball before the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy second Test starting Friday. Generally, practice sessions prior to an international fixture are never open for public viewing, but on this occasion, it was open for the local Adelaide crowd.

Kohli, Gill nearly mobbed; Rohit and Pant face rude comments as Indian players heckled and body shamed in Adelaide

The crowd made a lot of noise and added colour to India’s four-hour-long practice session, but a section of them also made life difficult for the Indian cricketers. A source privy to the development said the Indian cricketers were troubled by some of the comments passed by the crowd and the multiple requests for selfies made it difficult for them to concentrate.

“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.

Kohli, Rohit, Pant have a hard time

News agency PTI reported that rude comments were passed to the Indian cricketers.

“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),” he added.

An eyewitness said that fans badgered Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant to hit sixes and commented on another player’s fitness.

“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.

India practised for about two and a half hours on Wednesday. Shubman Gill was once again the focus as the right-hander batted against eh pacers and seamers quite comfortably. As things stand now, it is all but confirmed that he would be back in the XI for the day-night Test after missing the series opener in Perth due to a hairline fracture on his left thumb.

Captain Rohit Sharma will also be back in the XI. Rohit did not play in Perth due to the birth of his second child. He joined the Indian team in the middle of the Perth Test. There is a strong indication that Rohit might not open the batting in Adelaide. Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal did a splendid job in Perth, especially in the second innings that helped India win the match. Rohit spent a lot of time batting against the spinners on Wednesday, suggesting that he is seriously considering the prospect of batting at No.5 or No.6 in Adelaide.