After India lost to New Zealand in Pune, captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul left for Mumbai to spend time with their families. The team will reconvene for a mandatory practice session before the third Test in Mumbai to defend their home ground and regain momentum.
India’s 12-year home unbeaten run came to an abrupt end as New Zealand registered a 113-run win.
The second Test match in Pune marked India’s first home Test series defeat since 2013.
Moreover, it was the first time since 1983 that India had lost three consecutive home Tests under captain Rohit Sharma. New Zealand had previously lost to New Zealand at home for the first time in 36 years in their opening match in Bengaluru.
Hours after Pune’s defeat, India captain Rohit Sharma, along with star batsmen Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, traveled to Mumbai to be with his family before the third and final Test match. The rest of the team, along with their support staff, will arrive in Mumbai on Sunday, with the players set to take a short two-day break to reset mentally and physically.
Implementation of mandatory practice for series finals
A strategic change following the series loss led team management to mandate that all players attend practice sessions on October 30 and 31.
Traditionally, senior players and bowlers may opt for lighter training in successive matches to manage their workload, but balancing World Test Championship qualification, the management has implemented full training sessions.
The move highlights India’s resolve to regain control of their home ground as they prepare for the Wankhede showdown.
Focus on India’s salvation ahead of Australia tour
As India prepares to host the third Test in Mumbai, the stakes are very high. The match will not only serve as the series finale but also build momentum ahead of India’s crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which begins in Australia on November 10.
With a renewed focus on unity and preparation, the team will aim to finish the New Zealand series strong to approach the tour of Australia with renewed confidence.
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