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New Delhi: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma took part in an intense net session ahead of India's second ODI against South Africa on Wednesday, with talks of tension between them and head coach Gautam Gambhir swirling over the team.
Kohli’s record 52nd ton and Sharma’s half century guided the hosts to a 17-run victory in the first game of a three-match series in Ranchi.
But satisfaction of that victory got dimmed when reports of growing differences between the two former captains and Gambhir surfaced.
The two premier batters are reportedly not on talking terms and speak only through intermediaries and a worried BCCI arrange for meetings to douse tensions.
As the top-order duo plays only in ODIs now, they are constantly under the gaze and every time they come onto bat, they are perceived to be up for audition for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The veterans have not allowed pressure get to them and have gone about their business in usual focussed fashion.
Apart from them, India would need to get their combinations right as Ruturaj Gaikwad, batting at No.4, and No.5 Washington Sundar didn’t appear comfortable in their new roles.
Pacer Harshit Rana picked up two wickets with the new ball but have to tighten up his bowling in the death overs as Kuldeep Yadav continues to be among wickets across formats.
Gambhir has to make notes on ho South Africa got close to their 349-run target despite being reduced to 11/3.
The tourists were without regular skipper Temba Bavuma and spinner Keshav Maharaj in the opener nd are expected to be back in the fold after being rested following their Test series victory.
South Africa will fancy their chances of levelling the series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur where India have played only one ODI and a T20I earlier, both not particularly being high-scoring games.
The teams (from): India: K.L. Rahul (Capt.), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana,
Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (Capt.), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton and Prenelan Subrayen.
Match starts at 1.30 p.m.
Live on Star Sports and jiohotstar app.
