Ahead of the much-anticipated pink-ball Test in Adelaide, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to close open net sessions to fans for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The decision comes after chaotic scenes during India’s practice session on Tuesday at the Adelaide Oval.
Fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favorite players but caused considerable disruption with constant heckling, chants, and unsought requests for selfies and autographs. Players reportedly found it difficult to focus on their training, with the crowd positioned uncomfortably close to the nets.
A source quoted by The Times of India said, “They were literally next to the nets. It could have been handled better. The regular chants, demeaning remarks, and requests for selfies don’t help when players are trying to train hard. The situation was unprofessional and distracting.”
There were also concerns over security, with fans breaching the boundaries of acceptable proximity to the players. Chants such as “chauka maar, chakka maar,” and “out ho gaya” created an atmosphere far removed from the focus required for a high-stakes series.
Team India looking to bury Adelaide demons
India achieved a historic victory in the first match at Perth, defeating Australia by a massive 295 runs and reclaiming the top spot in the ICC rankings. On Sunday, India continued their impressive form by defeating Prime Minister’s XI by six wickets in a two-day warm-up match at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
With India leading the series 1-0, the team is preparing for the second Test under the lights starting December 6. The pink-ball Test in Adelaide is seen as a pivotal match in the series as Men in Blue look to overcome the ghost from 2020/21 series.
Back in 2020/21, Adelaide played host to the opening match of the BGT series, which was India’s maiden day-night Test away from home. While India did perform well in first, the second innings saw the batting lineup folding like pack of cards as the visitors posted their lowest total in Test of 36 runs. Can India overcome the pink ball challenge or will Australia continue their dominance.
