India begins ODI series preparations at Edgbaston, Kohli and Gill in lengthy discussion

By Sanjay Menon — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

India’s ODI Squad Begins Preparations

The Indian cricket team has commenced its preparations for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against England. The first training session took place at Edgbaston on Saturday, with a focus on fine-tuning strategies after recent T20I setbacks. The series opener is scheduled for July 14 at the same venue.

During the session, Virat Kohli and ODI skipper Shubman Gill engaged in a detailed one-on-one discussion lasting approximately 30 minutes. Their conversation appeared to centre on batting plans for the series, with Kohli offering insights on shot selection, overall strategy, and methods to counter England’s bowling attack across the three matches. Kohli was observed demonstrating various strokes and discussing potential scoring options with Gill before their two-hour session concluded.

The training session included fielding drills and batting practice in the nets. Only seven members of the ODI squad participated in the Birmingham session, as the remainder of the Indian squad was in Southampton for the fifth and final T20I against England. India lost that T20I match by 56 runs, completing a 0-4 series defeat in the shortest format.

Key Players in Action

The batters involved in the training session included Kohli, Gill, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul. The bowling contingent was led by Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar. To simulate various match conditions, India also utilised local net bowlers, including two spinners and a fast bowler.

Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma displayed fluency during their time in the nets. Kohli, in particular, showcased a range of strokes, including confident drives down the ground, paddle sweeps, and his characteristic flicks down the leg side. Bumrah and Brar provided an intense challenge for the batters, consistently hitting the deck hard and extracting bounce. Kuldeep Yadav also had an extended bowling spell, with the local spinners adding variety to the practice, aiding in preparation for English conditions.

The support staff, including fielding coach T Dilip, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, and throwdown specialist Dayasagar, supervised the training session, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the team.

Rohit Sharma’s Early Arrival and Series Outlook

Rohit Sharma, the former India captain, arrived in London early to prepare for the ODI series. He has been training at local cricket clubs in and around London, including Slough and Swyncombe, where he faced local bowlers. This early arrival follows his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026. Sharma is now fully fit and is concentrating on the 50-over format, having retired from Tests and T20Is. He will soon join the rest of India’s ODI squad in Birmingham.

The ODI series offers India an opportunity to regroup after a challenging period in the T20I format. Prior to the 0-4 defeat against England, the team also experienced a 0-2 T20I series loss in Ireland. The upcoming series schedule sees India play the first ODI at Edgbaston on July 14, followed by the second match at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on July 16. The series will conclude at Lord’s on July 19.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com