The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to cancel all open practice sessions for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy following an incident in Adelaide where Indian players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, were subjected to heckling and inappropriate comments from fans.
Chaotic Scenes at Practice Session
Ahead of the second Test against Australia, the Indian team held a rare open practice session in Adelaide, which drew an unexpected crowd of around 3,000 spectators. While fans added excitement to the atmosphere, some individuals caused disruptions by passing rude remarks and overwhelming the players with excessive selfie requests.
The situation became so unruly that the BCCI decided to close future training sessions to the general public. However, accredited media will still be allowed to cover the sessions.
“Players were subjected to heckling during the practice session on Tuesday. It was difficult for them to concentrate amid constant selfie requests and inappropriate comments. To prevent further disturbances, the training sessions will now be closed to the public,” a source close to the team told Hindustan Times.
Players Face Rude Comments and Distractions
Reports indicated that some fans passed insensitive comments about players’ fitness, while others shouted demands for sixes or engaged in loud conversations during critical moments of the practice session. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill faced challenges as fans attempted to mob them for selfies. One player was reportedly body-shamed, while another was badgered with personal requests in Gujarati.
“It was complete chaos. During Australia’s session, only about 70 fans showed up, but for India, the crowd surged to 3,000. The situation was unexpected and could have been handled better,” said a senior BCCI official.
Impact on Future Fan Engagement Activities
The disruptive behavior in Adelaide has also led to the cancellation of another planned fan engagement event in Sydney before the fifth Test. “Players were deeply disturbed by the rude and insensitive comments in Adelaide. We’ve decided to prioritize their focus and mental well-being,” the official added.
KL Rahul Reflects on Open Practice Experience
Indian cricketer KL Rahul described the open practice session as a unique experience, especially in the context of a Test match. “We’ve practiced in front of crowds before, but that’s usually for T20Is or ODIs at home. This felt different, but it also prepared us for what we might encounter during the Test match,” Rahul said.
Preparations for Day-Night Test in Adelaide
India’s preparations on Wednesday were quieter, with the team focusing on fine-tuning their strategies for the upcoming day-night Test. Shubman Gill batted with confidence against both pacers and spinners, indicating his likely return to the playing XI after recovering from a thumb injury.
Rohit Sharma, who missed the Perth Test to be with his family for the birth of his second child, has rejoined the squad. However, there is speculation that he might bat in the middle order instead of opening, as KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal performed exceptionally well as openers in Perth.
India Aims to Maintain Momentum
India heads into the Adelaide Test with a 1-0 lead after a commanding 295-run victory in Perth. However, the challenge ahead is significant, as Australia has an unblemished record in day-night Tests at Adelaide Oval.
With stricter measures now in place, the Indian team will look to maintain focus and extend their lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
