Xtra Time Web Desk: A confident Indian cricket team led by Rohit Sharma will be ready to take on New Zealand in the first semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday, November 15. The Men in Blue had an optional practice session under the lights with only Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja turning up.
All the spotlight during the optional practice session was on Virat Kohli. The star India batter underwent two rigorous batting stints on the eve of the crucial encounter. Kohli faced the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav at the beginning. Among the local net bowlers, there was a left arm pacer and left arm spinner to simulate the challenges posed by Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner.
Virat looked in great touch during the practice session. It will be an engrossing battle between Virat and Boult with the later getting rid of the star India batter the last time these two sides met in 2019 World Cup semi-final at Manchester.
Kohli has been in stupendous form in this World Cup, amassing 594 runs, the highest in the tournament with a remarkable average of 99. He is also on the verge of achieving his landmark 50th ODI century, the excitement surrounding him is palpable.
In addition to Kohli’s net session, Ravindra Jadeja’s powerful six-hitting was another highlight from the training session. Suryakumar Yadav too exhibited some fantastic sweep shots.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma refrained from batting in the nets. He was seen having a long chat with Head Coach Rahul Dravid. Both of them had a long chat with the curators.
If Men in Blue wins the game against BlackCaps on Wednesday, they will be the first team to enter the final on November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahnmedabad.