ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Not Gautam Gambhir! Mohammed Shami turns to this coach for CT prep

India National Cricket Team have started their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Rohit Sharma-led side arrived in Dubai on Saturday (15th February) and didn't waste much time as on the next day they went straight into the nets.

The reports in PTI claimed that fast bowler Mohammed Shami was the center of attraction on the first day of the session. It is learned that the fast bowler spent considerable time with bowling coach Morne Morkel at the picturesque ICC Academy practice ground.

Shami looked shaky in his initial strides

Mohammed Shami, who made his comeback in the T20I series against England, was seen wearing stretchable kneecaps. The fast bowler started the session by getting a feel of the conditions by bowling a few deliveries with a short run-up.

Mohammed Shami didn't look good in his initial strides. As he was doing this, the rest of the India National Cricket Team players were engaged in physical drills along with some fun and games activity aimed at improving anticipation and decision-making.

Before the batters went into the nets, Mohammed Shami attempted to adjust his length and then reportedly was seen walking up towards the batter's end in the net with bowling coach Morne Morkel. The reports claimed that, by the looks of it, the pacer was discussing the ideal length as he stood on the popping crease at the batter's end.

Mohammed Shami ends up hurrying the batters on several occasions in the nets

Mohammed Shami was seen pointing at a certain length outside the batter's crease, which was a good length (4m to 6m) region. He reportedly gestured to the bowling coach that he was trying to move the ball from that particular length as Morne Morkel was all ears.

Once the batters stepped into the nets, Mohammed Shami was seen bowling in full tilt. The fast bowler reportedly hurried the batters on occasions before he ended his session.

Virat Kohli looked extremely focused in the nets, Rohit Sharma was in a joyous mood

The reports claimed that Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer looked comfortable against spinners. The duo, in particular, targeted Kuldeep Yadav, hitting him for massive sixes on multiple occasions. One of the hits from the all-rounder also went on to hit Rishabh Pant on the left knee.

The reports also added that Virat Kohli looked extremely focused in the nets while captain Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, looked in a joyous mood. He moved his feet well as he seemed to have gained his confidence after the century that he slammed in the second ODI against England.

The entire team looked in a great mood as Kohli was seen joking during the fun activity. The team was also engaged in a fun activity. India will be opening their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh on 20th February before taking on Pakistan on 23rd February. They will end the league stage with a game against New Zealand on 2nd March.

Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR's captaincy plans shattered as Ex-cricketer blocks Ajinkya Rahane's appointment