New Delhi: India suffered a major blow as New Zealand registered a series-clinching victory in the second Test by 113 runs in Pune on Saturday. India’s 12-year-long streak of home dominance in Test cricket was broken by the Kiwis as it was for the first time since 1983 that India lost three Test matches at home, all under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. New Zealand had clinched the series opener as well, which was India’s first loss to the Blackcaps at home in 36 years.
Hours after enduring an embarrassing loss in Pune, India captain Rohit and Virat Kohli reportedly left for Mumbai by road to be with their families. According to a report in The Indian Express, Rohit and Virat, along with KL Rahul drove to Mumbai, where the third Test is scheduled as well, beginning November 1. The rest of the players and the support staff will be reaching the city in the coming days. The players have also been given a break for two days before regrouping for the clash at the Wankhede.
What’s the ‘compulsory’ rule?
The report also added that after ending the two-day break in Mumbai, players will have to attend two practice sessions scheduled in the tune-up to the series finale. “The team management has asked the players to be present for two days of practice on October 30 and 31. It’s compulsory and no one can skip it,” the national daily was informed by a source.
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Usually when the series has back-to-back games, senior players and pacers often decide to skip practice sessions and rather do light training drills to stay free from injury and properly manage their workload. This also gives them enough time to recover. However, in the wake of losing the series, which is India’s first after a streak of 18 wins at home since 2013 and also the World Test Championship final qualification now at stake, the management has decided to revoke that privilege and has called compulsory training.
After Team India is done with the New Zealand Tests, they will leave for Australia for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy that starts on November 22 in Perth. The team is expected to depart for down under on November 10.
