Hearing a small voice cut through the noise at a significant cricket net session is not an everyday occurrence. On a bright September morning at Dubai’s ICC Academy, a little fan’s squeaky plea—“Surya sirrr!”—kept echoing over India’s intense nets. The call may have been ignored, but it mirrored the scene perfectly: a mix of youthful excitement, star power, and a team fine-tuning its equilibrium. While the nets all wore the same sound of bat on ball, the selectors and coaching staff contemplated a small but convoluted puzzle unraveling itself, the perfect XI for the conditions in the UAE.
Nets, Numbers, and Nuances
Step into India’s nets, and it’s clear this team is taking nothing for granted. Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, and Tilak Varma took the first swings in the nets, soon followed by Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav. The nets weren’t just about rhythm—they were a test of roles and combinations. Abhishek Sharma worked on his left-arm spin, while spinners alternated delivering to India’s frontline batsmen.
It was so interesting to see how the net session resembled match days so closely. India’s consultant coach Morkel stressed that all-rounders who can both bat and bowl will be key in the tournament. Having long spells from an all-rounder like Shivam Dube with the bat and the ball shows it is probably a new way of thinking and pushing for versatility. This isn’t just about the glitz and glamour, and there is actually a level of adaptability involved.
Playing Conditions and Tactical Tweaks
The UAE pitches are completely different from the Champions Trophy conditions. According to Morkel, earlier wickets aided spinners, but the current pitches offer extra grass, pace, and livelier bounce. This may influence selection decisions: frontline pacers Bumrah and Arshdeep may become crucial while all-rounders like Dube and Axar Patel bring even more value, as you are guaranteed the benefit of two options.
The grassy pitches don’t just change the bounce—they force the team to rethink its balance. Where once India could lean on a single frontline pacer and a cluster of spinners, the current surfaces demand flexibility. Coaches and selectors are covering all bases, analyzing who can deliver under pressure.
Beyond the Nets: Team Chemistry and Strategy
But practice isn’t just technique—it is also an indicator of team chemistry. In the nets, the order in which you face, drills side-by-side, and then incidental moments, e.g., Sanju Samson working in a side net, are all reflective of the pecking order and the preferred style of management. In a situation where no young fan’s cry for Surya is actually heard, if and when in the nets, Surya Yadav is the real deal.
This highlights that cricket is not simply sporadic moments, but how those moments fit into an overall narrative. Morkel’s emphasis on preparation, professionalism, and adaptability, moving beyond standard coaching practice, is a way of creating a team to navigate unpredictable environments while also trying to keep clarity for players in their roles.
FAQs
- What was the unusual background at India’s practice session in Dubai?
A young fan kept calling out “Surya sirrr!” throughout the nets, creating a memorable backdrop.
- What does Shivam Dube’s role in the nets suggest about India’s strategy?
He is being considered as an all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.
- How are the UAE pitches different from the Champions Trophy conditions?
They have more grass, favoring pace and bounce, unlike the earlier, tired, spinner-friendly surfaces.