Team India's ban on open training sessions for BGT 2024-25: Reports claim Indian cricketer was body-shamed, players were heckled
Some shocking claims are emerging over India's decision to ban open training sessions for the remainder of their stay in Australia for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. According to some media reports, the Indian players were heckled by unruly fans. One report claimed that an Indian cricketer was also body-shamed.
Thousands of fans had turned up to watch India's players practicing in Adelaide on Tuesday, December 3 ahead of the pink-ball Test, which begins on Friday, December 6. However, as the cricketers were reportedly distracted by constant chants and remarks from fans, a decision was taken to stop having open-net sessions.
As per a report in the Times of India, people gathered near the Indian team and heckled the players.
"They were literally next to the nets. (It) Could have been handled better. The regular chants, demeaning remarks, requests for selfies and all don't help when players are trying to train hard," TOI quoted a source as saying.
The source added that fans constantly passed remarks like 'chauka maar' (hit four), 'chakkar maar' (hit six) and 'out ho gaya' (that's out).
Another report in News18 claimed that 3,000 people turned up for India's practice session in Adelaide, leading to utter chaos. The report quoted a source telling PTI that some fans were doing Facebook live with friends, while one particular cricketer was body-shamed.
“It was complete chaos. During the Australian training session, not more than 70-odd people turned up but during India’s session, 3000 came. No one expected so many fans to turn up," a BCCI source was quoted as telling PTI.
“Virat (Kohli) and Shubman Gill could have been mobbed because of so many people. Some were doing Facebook live with friends and talking loudly just as the batter took stance. One supporter continuously urged a player to say ‘hi’ to him in Gujarati. Another particular cricketer was body-shamed," the source added.
As per reports, a fans' day in Sydney was earlier scheduled ahead of the fifth and final Test of the series. However, it was canceled following the rude behavior of those gathered to watch Indian players train in Adelaide.
"Very different, not used to it" - KL Rahul reacts to crowd at India's training session in Adelaide
Team India batter KL Rahul admitted that practicing in front of a crowd in Adelaide was a different feeling for the visitors as they are not used to it.
At a press conference ahead of the second Test against Australia, he said:
“Very different, not used to it. We have practice with crowds but it’s mostly T20 and ODIs back home, we’ve had crowds come in and watch our practice sessions. So it felt a little different but also it adds to your preparation for the Test match and gives us a bit of what we can expect on day one or all the days here in Adelaide, so it was good."
Rahul was one of the stars of India's 295-run triumph in Perth. Opening the innings, he scored a hard-fought 26 in the first innings and followed it up with 77 in the second essay.