Newly appointed India ODI captain Shubman Gill skipped the optional training session at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday — the second time he has done so during the ongoing tour of Australia.
Last week, Gill missed a nets session in Perth shortly after the team’s arrival. This time, only a few players attended the optional practice ahead of the second match of the three-game series.
Unexpected Incident During Gill’s Adelaide Stroll
Instead of training, Gill decided to take a casual stroll through Adelaide city with teammates, including pacer Harshit Rana.
During the outing, the 25-year-old cricketer had an unexpected encounter with a Pakistani fan. After Gill courteously accepted a handshake, the fan shouted “Pakistan Zindabad” at him. The incident was recorded and quickly went viral on social media.
Gill maintained his composure and chose not to react — a moment that many fans online have described as a display of restraint and maturity.
India’s Struggles in the First ODI
Gill will be back in action on Thursday as India take on Australia in the second ODI at Adelaide. The first match in Perth saw India lose by seven wickets in a rain-interrupted contest.
In his debut as ODI captain, Gill was dismissed for just 10 runs. Senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also failed to make an impact — Kohli was dismissed for a duck, his first on Australian soil, while Rohit managed only eight runs.
Rohit Sharma Attends Optional Practice
Among the top order, Rohit Sharma was the only one to attend the optional training. He batted for around 45 minutes under the supervision of head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was the sole member of the coaching staff present.
Rohit faced throw-downs from specialists Dayanand Garani and Raghavendra during his focused batting session.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli opted to rest after an intense net practice session on Tuesday.
Looking Ahead
As India prepares for the second ODI, all eyes will be on Shubman Gill — not just for his leadership, but also for how he handles pressure both on and off the field.
Fans are hopeful that India will bounce back and level the series in Adelaide.
