KL Rahul Amazed by Large Turnout at Barabati Stadium for India's Training
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Cuttack, Feb 9 (NationPress) India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul was taken aback by the large crowd at Barabati Stadium for the team's practice session, mistaking it for a game day. The squad prepares for the second ODI against England after an opening win.
Key Takeaways
- KL Rahul surprised by crowd at practice.
- India leads ODI series against England.
- Virat Kohli returns after injury.
- Shreyas Iyer's great performance complicates team selection.
- Barabati Stadium has hosted numerous ODIs with mixed results for India.
Cuttack, Feb 9 (NationPress) India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul was astonished to see a massive crowd gathered for the home team's practice session at Barabati Stadium on Saturday, mistakenly thinking it was a match day.
The second ODI of the three-match series against England is set to take place at the venue on Sunday, with the Rohit Sharma-led team arriving in Odisha after securing a four-wicket victory in Nagpur.
The Indian squad landed in Bhubaneswar on Friday morning and conducted their initial practice at Barabati Stadium before the upcoming match.
“We didn’t see this coming. Walking into the dressing room, I felt we had lost track of time and forgot today was a match day. The energy and atmosphere were incredible. It’s a lot different from our usual practice. To see so many fans turn up for a practice session was truly remarkable,” Rahul stated in a video shared by the BCCI.
A fan mentioned she attended just to watch Rohit Sharma practice.
On Saturday, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed Virat Kohli would be available for the second ODI after missing the first game due to minor soreness in his right knee.
Kohli's return presents a challenge for the Indian team management regarding who to exclude from the playing eleven to make room for the seasoned right-handed batter.
In Nagpur, Shreyas Iyer stepped in for Kohli at the last moment, delivering an impressive 36-ball 59. Given Iyer's significant contribution in India’s opening ODI victory, it would be tough to drop him.
If the team opts to sit Yashasvi Jaiswal, who debuted in Nagpur, Shubman Gill may return to open alongside captain Rohit Sharma, allowing Kohli to occupy the No. 3 position.
This will mark Kohli’s first ODI since the Sri Lanka tour in August last year when India faced a 2-0 defeat. Kohli needs runs before the upcoming Champions Trophy, especially given the scrutiny surrounding his form after a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
India and England have faced off five times in ODIs at Barabati Stadium, with England winning three times and India two.
As of February 2025, Barabati Stadium has hosted 21 ODI matches, 19 of which featured India. India has claimed victory in 12 and lost 7.
