Just days after a heartbreaking 22-run loss at Lord’s, the Indian team appeared relaxed and recharged during their first and only training session at Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham on Thursday, ahead of the crucial fourth Test in Manchester, starting July 23.While the team trails 1-2 in the five-match series, the mood in camp suggested calm, not crisis. According to PTI, music ranging from Hanuman Chalisa to Punjabi beats echoed from the dressing room, setting the tone for a light-hearted and low-pressure session – a conscious choice to regroup away from the usual fanfare.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Among the more amusing moments was a friendly banter between Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. When a journalist tried chatting with Pant from a distance, the wicketkeeper-batter replied, “Kuch sunai nahi de raha hain”, blaming the music.That’s when Bumrah cheekily chimed in: “Aaj Duggal Ji behre hain,” referencing a famous line from Hindi film – Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, drawing laughs from the media corps and teammates alike.Pant, nursing a finger injury, stayed away from wicketkeeping or batting drills, opting for gym work. Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj also skipped bowling duties, likely due to workload management.Yet, concerns around Pant’s fitness persist. Former head coach Ravi Shastri made it clear: if Pant can’t keep wickets, he shouldn’t play.“He can’t just be a batter,” said Shastri in an ICC video. “With the gloves, at least there’s protection. Fielding without them could worsen the injury.”India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate remained hopeful: “We don’t want to replace the keeper mid-innings again. If he’s fit to do both roles, he plays.”
