India sharpen fielding at Edgbaston ahead of 1st ODI vs England
Synopsis
With Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah back in the ODI fold, India's Edgbaston training session on 14 July was less routine warm-up and more a statement of intent — fielding coach T. Dilip pushing the squad for sharper footwork as India open a three-match series that doubles as their first real step toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Key Takeaways
India held an intense fielding session at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 14 July ahead of the 1st ODI vs England .
Dilip and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux led the drills, focusing on agility, catching, and ground fielding.
Dilip stressed faster footwork: 'England demands you to be faster with your feet, whether it is catch, or ground fielding.' Senior players Rohit Sharma , Virat Kohli , and Jasprit Bumrah return to India's ODI setup for this series.
The three-match series is part of India's broader build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup .
India ramped up their preparations for the opening ODI against England on Tuesday, 14 July, with fielding drills taking centre stage at Edgbaston, Birmingham, as head coach Gautam Gambhir monitored proceedings ahead of the three-match series.
High-Intensity Drills on the Ground
The session was overseen by strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux and fielding coach T. Dilip, and featured a structured set of drills targeting agility, catching, and ground fielding suited to English conditions. Players warmed up with a football-passing exercise, with captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Prince Yadav, and others moving across the ground in small groups.
Dilip subsequently split the squad into two groups to maximise catching practice and ensure every player stayed actively engaged throughout the session.
What the Fielding Coach Said
Addressing the squad during the drills, Dilip underlined the premium that English conditions place on sharp footwork and reflexes. 'England demands you to be faster with your feet, whether it is catch, or ground fielding. That's one aspect we'll try to get better. If your leg reaches to the ball, we're good,' he told the group.
The emphasis on movement is well-founded — English outfields and overcast conditions can produce unpredictable ball behaviour, making ground fielding a decisive variable in close contests.
Lighter Moments Amid the Grind
Virat Kohli was spotted sharing laughs with teammates during the drills, with visuals released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reflecting a relaxed atmosphere despite the demanding workload. Gambhir observed the session from the sidelines, keeping a close watch as the team fine-tuned its preparation.
Senior Stars Back in ODI Setup
The three-match series marks a significant return for several senior players — Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are all back in India's ODI setup for this tour. Their inclusion signals India's intent to field a full-strength side as the team rebuilds its ODI rhythm following a period of squad rotation.
2027 World Cup Build-Up Begins
The series carries weight beyond the immediate contest. It forms an early and important plank in India's build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, making the opening match at Edgbaston more than a routine bilateral fixture. India will look to begin their campaign on a positive note when they face England in the first ODI.
Point of View
And Dilip's explicit call for faster footwork suggests the coaching staff sees this as a genuine vulnerability rather than a box-ticking exercise. Notably, this is also the first time Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah share an ODI dressing room after a period of selective deployment — the series will reveal whether India's ODI core has retained its cohesion or needs rebuilding from scratch ahead of 2027.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 1st ODI between India and England?
The first ODI between India and England is scheduled at Edgbaston, Birmingham . India's training session ahead of the match took place on 14 July .
Who led India's fielding drills at Edgbaston?
Fielding coach T. Dilip and strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux led the session. Dilip split the squad into two groups to maximise catching practice.
What did fielding coach T. Dilip say about English conditions?
Dilip told the squad: 'England demands you to be faster with your feet, whether it is catch, or ground fielding. That's one aspect we'll try to get better. If your leg reaches to the ball, we're good.'
Which senior India players return for the ODI series against England?
Rohit Sharma , Virat Kohli , and Jasprit Bumrah are all back in India's ODI setup for the three-match series against England.
Why is the India vs England ODI series significant?
Beyond the bilateral contest, the series is an important early step in India's build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup , making results and team combinations particularly closely watched by the management.
