![IND vs ENG [WATCH]: Nagpur police deny entry to India’s staff member at team hotel ahead of the 1st ODI](https://crickettimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Team-India-13.webp "IND vs ENG [WATCH]: Nagpur police deny entry to India’s staff member at team hotel ahead of the 1st ODI")
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In a bizarre turn of events, Raghavendra Dwivedi, better known as ‘Raghu,’ Team India‘s throwdown specialist, was briefly stopped by Nagpur police personnel from entering the team hotel. The incident occurred outside the Radisson Blu hotel as India arrived in the city for the first ODI against England.
Viral video captures the moment
A video of the incident quickly went viral, showing two police officers blocking Raghu’s path, mistaking him for an unauthorized individual. Despite his long-standing association with Team India, the officers failed to recognize him. Media personnel present at the scene attempted to clarify the situation, shouting, “Arey coach hai woh. Team ke saath hai. Bus se utra hai.” (“He’s a coach… member of the team. He just deboarded the bus.”).
Despite the misunderstanding, Raghu remained composed and handled the situation with a smile. After a brief exchange, the police realized their mistake and allowed him to enter the hotel. While the incident caused a momentary embarrassment for the authorities, it highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of support staff members who play an essential role behind the scenes.
Raghu, who was first introduced to the Indian team by Sachin Tendulkar in 2011, has since become a crucial figure in the support staff. His role as a throwdown specialist involves delivering precise throwdowns to batsmen, simulating real match conditions. His expertise in replicating different types of deliveries, from fast-paced bouncers to sharp spin, has helped Indian batsmen prepare for international challenges.
Here’s the video:
Police mistook India's throwdown specialist for a fan 😂pic.twitter.com/p3Lj24Yu6S
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) February 4, 2025
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Team India’s arrival in Nagpur for the ODI series against England
The Indian squad, led by Rohit Sharma, reached Nagpur ahead of the three-match ODI series against England. Key players including Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were already reached the destination. The ODI squad remains largely the same as the one selected for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, with the only change being Harshit Rana replacing Jasprit Bumrah.
India will kick off the ODI series against England on February 6 in Nagpur. The second match is scheduled for February 9 in Cuttack, followed by the final ODI on February 12 in Ahmedabad. Having recently dominated the T20I series with a 4-1 victory, India will aim to carry the momentum forward into the 50-over format.
With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, this ODI series serves as an important preparatory phase for both India and England. The team will be focusing on fine-tuning its combination and strategies ahead of the prestigious tournament. The players are expected to undergo rigorous training in Nagpur, ensuring they are well-prepared to take on England in the upcoming fixtures.
