Team India's practice sessions during the ongoing tour of Australia will no longer be open to the public. This decision comes after the team management expressed their dissatisfaction with the behavior of some fans during the open practice session in Adelaide on Tuesday, December 3.
No fans at practice as India objects to open net sessions
A group of fans was seen heckling the Indian players including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, demanding specific shots, and hurling chants and slogans which disrupted the team's focus. The Indian team has apparently complained Cricket Australia (CA) about the incident.
In response to India's request, CA has decided to close future practice sessions to the public. As per India Today, a spokesperson for Cricket Australia confirmed that the upcoming sessions would be held behind closed doors to ensure an undisturbed training atmosphere for the players.
“India have expressed a preference for their remaining training sessions not to be open to the public to minimise potential noise or distractions,” a CA spokesperson told The Age on Wednesday, 4 December.
While the crowd's enthusiasm added color and energy to India's four-hour-long practice session, it also disrupted Indian players' focus. Reportedly, players were disturbed by certain comments from the crowd and found it difficult to concentrate due to repeated requests for selfies.
"Yes, the training will not be accessible to the general public now. The players were heckled during the open session on Tuesday. So many selfie requests when players are trying to prepare for the crucial series. The entire situation could have been dealt with better. Public won't be allowed access to training sessions, however, media can come and see the players train," the source told Hindustan Times.
Moreover, going by a PTI report, the Indian cricketers were also subjected to rude comments during their practice session.
"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 senior BCCI official told PTI.
KL Rahul expresses discomfort with open nets
Meanwhile, KL Rahul expressed his discomfort with the open net session in Adelaide. He shared that the experience was unusual for him, as he is not accustomed to having fans so close during practice sessions.
“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 told reporters on November 4.
