The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team is gearing up for the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) starting December 26. drives after winning the first Test in Perth.
Australia bounced back in the second Test with a strong performance in Adelaide, claiming a one-sided victory in the Day-Night Test to level the ongoing five-match Test series against India. The third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw due to rain, leaving the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied 1–1.
Rohit Sharma leads India's intense netting session ahead of the crucial Boxing Day Test at the MCG
Now, the fourth Test in Melbourne is a must-win game for both teams to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With a place in the 2023–25 ICC WTC finals at stake, India face added pressure to secure a win and stay in contention for the championship.
As both India and Australia prepare for the crucial Test on Boxing Day, captain Rohit Sharma was seen sweating it out in the nets in Melbourne ahead of the crucial fourth Test. The Indian skipper has struggled to find his rhythm in the ongoing series with just 19 runs to his name in three innings.
Also Read: Cheteshwar Pujara teaches Virat Kohli batting ahead of MCG Test
He faced challenges against incoming deliveries in the ongoing Test series. During an intense net session, Rohit Sharma focused on perfecting his techniques, especially against incoming deliveries as well as deliveries near the off-side or in the fourth stump channel.
The experienced Indian right-hander had an extended one-and-a-half-hour session at the nets where he looked calmer, adjusting his stance and maintaining better control over his bat movement.
Rohit Sharma faces the fans with confidence during India's net session
Rohit opened with the toss before facing pace bowlers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna along with spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in the nets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday 21 December.
During the nets session, an enthusiastic fan shouted, “Rohit six maar (Rohit, hit a six!)” and caught the Indian captain's attention at the MCG. Rohit paused, looked up and asked, “Who said that? Then he added, “Do you want a six?” After the brief exchange, Rohit continued his batting session, according to a report in TOI.
The Indian captain then calmly defended the next delivery, but the way Rohit responded to the fan sent a clear message to those watching that they will not entertain any distractions or a repeat of the past Adelaide controversies.
The captain is in gℝ𝕆ove! 🇮🇳
Will @ImRo45 deliver high to #BoxingDayTest in Melbourne? 👀#AUSvINDOnStar 4th test 👉 THURSDAY, DEC 26, 4:30 AM pic.twitter.com/EiZNzZ4bQF
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 21, 2024
Abhishek Nayar has a heated conversation with Rohit Sharma at the MCG
On the other hand, India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar was seen having a heated conversation with Rohit Sharma, focusing on the captain's batting technique and his dismissals in the series so far, according to the same report.
During the discussion, Rohit practiced his forward defence, which led to his dismissal in the Pink-Ball Test, and also worked on addressing his habit of playing free kicks outside off, which led to his fall in the Brisbane.
The conversation became more animated as Nayar highlighted areas for improvement while Rohit focused on the suggestion. Notably, apart from Rohit, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill have also practiced in the nets for a long time at the MCG.