In their quest to clinch the Champions Trophy 2025, which starts on February 19, the Indian team has begun their training session at the ICC Academy in Dubai. After a series of disappointing Test cricket results, they bounced back strongly in the home series, where they clean-swept England 3-0 in ODIs. As preparation for the Champions Trophy goes, there couldn't have been a more emphatic one than what they delivered against England.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will again be in the spotlight, as they are the most experienced members of the team, having also won the title in 2013 and finished as the runners-up in 2017. Kohli, who had a fairly good outing against England, will be desperate to turn up on the big stage. Kohli is someone who does not like to compromise on his fitness and diet, and that is why he often travels with his chef. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced a ten-point diktat earlier this year, banning players from bringing their personal chef. Kohli, however, found a way to get his desired food. The former Indian captain reportedly collaborated with a local team manager, convincing him of the need for a specific food that aligns with his diet regime. The manager later brought a food packet from a well-known restaurant containing several boxes of his post-training meal. As other players prepared to leave the venue, Kohli focused on refuelling, even saving a portion for later.
"It had had few boxes of Kohli's post-session meal. While the others packed their kit bags, Kohli was refuelling and even saved a box for the road." read a report from TOI.
As far as the practice session is concerned, Kohli was the first to arrive, and he faced fast bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh. While Kohli focused more on getting in touch and enhancing his timing of strokeplay, players like Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya went into aggressive mode, hitting everything that came their way. One of Pandya's strokes also ended up hitting Rishabh Pant, who was immediately attended by a physiotherapist.
The Indian team will be in action on February 20, where they will take on Bangladesh in Dubai. Three days later, a match against their arch-rivals Pakistan awaits.
