The Indian cricket team has begun its preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in an unconventional way – with morning training sessions in New York. After months of playing under night lights in the scorching Indian summer, the team is adjusting to the pleasant mornings with temperatures between 25 to 27 degrees Celsius.
With skipper Virat Kohli taking a break for personal reasons, the team is focusing on acclimatizing to the morning conditions before their preliminary games, which will all start at 10.30 am. The support staff has organized light jogging, shuttle runs, and foot volley sessions to help the players get used to the conditions.
Strength and Conditioning coach Soham Desai emphasized the importance of spending time in the heat to prepare the players for the World Cup. The team, consisting of 14 players, is eager to play cricket in New York for the first time, with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja expressing excitement about the new experience.
The Indian team will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland, followed by a highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9. They will also face hosts USA and Canada before moving to the Caribbean islands for the Super 8 phase of the tournament.
Despite the absence of Kohli, the team is determined to make a mark in the tournament and reclaim their title as T20 World Cup champions. With a mix of experienced players and promising talents, India is gearing up for an exciting and challenging journey ahead.