The Indian team are gearing up for their final league match of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against the Netherlands at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on November 11 (Sunday). With an eye on a ninth consecutive victory, the Men in Blue aim to maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament. The team indulged in a lighthearted practice session ahead of the clash, showcasing high spirits.
In a video shared by the BCCI on social media, the majority of the squad participated in an entertaining session of 'footvolley,' a blend of football and volleyball. Plastic chairs served as dividers between the two teams, with players enjoying the game and sharing laughter during the innovative training session.
The majority of the 15-member squad, including Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Shreyas Iyer, engaged in a fun-filled mix of football and volleyball, with chairs acting as makeshift nets. Recently, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj secured the top spots in the ICC rankings for ODI batter and bowler, respectively.
Although the game against the Netherlands holds little significance in the standings, the Men in Blue would aim to sustain their winning streak and avoid complacency. Following a week's rest since their impressive 243-run victory over South Africa, the team face the decision of whether captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid will opt to rotate players.
Meanwhile, as far as the semifinal lineups are concerned, as soon as England won the toss and elected to bat first, India vs New Zealand semifinal seems to be confirmed at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15 (Wednesday). Meanwhile, Australia and South Africa will lock horns aginst each other in the second semifinal at the Eden Garden in Kolkata on November 16 (Thursday).