Virat Kohli-led India will be start their ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign with two warm-up games – first against New Zealand on May 25 followed by a fixture against Bangladesh on May 28.
Just 24 hours after reaching England on Wednesday, it was time for some serious business for ‘Men in Blue’. Captain Kohli and his men headed straight to the Kia Oval for their first practice session ahead of the upcoming World Cup. However, it did not end on the best of notes as India’s opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan was hit on the helmet and he sustained a small injury.
Some ⚽️+ BIB catching for #TeamIndia on Day 1 at the drills 💪 🔝
Mr. @yuzi_chahal at it 🎙️#CWC19 pic.twitter.com/tupMzxNQUC— BCCI (@BCCI) May 23, 2019
After having some fun at the football session, the players headed straight into the nets. Skipper Kohli was the first to head into the nets with all other batsmen joining him turn by turn. The Indian talisman faced the pacers in the nets and focussed on deliveries that were pitched outside off-stump and the ones which pitched towards the middle-stump.
Getting into the groove Skipper @imVkohli for the #CWC19 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/LZHRnYxOyq
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 23, 2019
In the meantime, Dhawan took some throwdowns from the batting coach Sanjay Bangar. One of the short balls that were bowled hurled at a great pace towards the southpaw – hit him hard on the helmet.
His practice session was cut short after the blow as physio Patrick Farhart attended him. Dhawan got hit around his lips and the jaw. However, he walked off the field with a smile on his face.
Although Dhawan looked to be in pain initially, he seemed better as he went into the dressing room. The intensity of the injury is not yet know.
