Indian team train amidst cloud of rain!

Skipper Rohit Sharma (second from left) during India’s training session yesterday. Pic/PTI

Within hours of arriving from Brisbane, where their second official warm-up game against New Zealand on Wednesday was washed out without a ball being bowled, around half-a-dozen India cricketers hit the nets at an optional session on Friday morning.

Skipper Rohit Sharma and senior statesman Dinesh Karthik were among those who went through their paces at the outdoor nets of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where India will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on Sunday.

Shami in excellent shape

Rohit and Karthik both had extended batting sessions in two stints under the watchful eyes of head coach Rahul Dravid and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who also kept a close watch on pacers Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami, looking in excellent physical shape after his recent tryst with COVID-19.

The intense net session was in stark contrast to the festive air just outside as numerous supporters of the Indian team gathered to cheer for their heroes. There was a touch of disappointment that they couldn't spot Virat Kohli, but Rohit more than made the day for a select few by posing for pictures.

Too much hype

No India-Pakistan match is devoid of hype and expectations, but there is greater needle this time around, not least because India went down by 10 wickets in the corresponding fixture between the teams at the tournament exactly a year ago. Further, over the last few days, intense heat has been generated by BCCI secretary Jay Shah's statement that the next Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2023, could be staged at a neutral venue, a view that was immediately countered by the Pakistan Cricket Board, who hinted at their team not travelling to India for next year's 50-over World Cup.

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Ahead of the World Cup, this is a distraction no player needs. After all, there is a big battle to be won within the contours of the larger war, and it will be to no one's benefit to focus on issues well beyond their control. It's stating the obvious that the MCG will be packed to the rafters on Sunday evening, but the big concern among those, who have bought tickets, is how the weather will hold up. There have been dynamic and ever-changing forecasts of rain playing spoilsport on match evening, a forecast nearly 90,000 ticket holders and millions of fans worldwide are desperately hoping doesn't hold much water, pun unintended.