Reports: Rohit and Kohli leave for Mumbai to be with family hours after Pune defeat

When New Zealand defeated Rohit Sharma‘s team by 113 runs in the second Test in Pune on Saturday, October 26, they broke India’s record of 18 straight victories in Test series at home. In Bengaluru, Tom Latham and company had won by eight wickets to begin the three-match series.

The third Test, which begins on Friday, November 1, will now take place in Mumbai, where the Wankhede Stadium is getting ready to host the two teams. The forthcoming Test match cannot be considered a dead rubber, even if the Kiwis have already secured the series, since there are important World Test Championship (WTC) points up for grabs.

The Indian Express said that shortly after the defeat, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and India skipper Rohit drove to Mumbai to be with their families. Soon, the remaining Indian players and support staff will arrive in India’s financial centre. A two-day break has also been granted to the players before they reassemble for the Wankhede match.

No ‘optional training’ for Rohit Sharma and associates.

According to the report, the players would have to attend the two practice sessions before the series finale after their two-day holiday in Mumbai is over.

“The players have been requested to attend two practice days on 30 and 31 October by the team management. No one is allowed to avoid it, according to a source who told the national newspaper.

Senior players and fast bowlers typically choose to miss practice sessions or engage in light training drills when playing consecutive matches in a series in order to minimise the risk of injury. They control the workload and give themselves enough time to rest. However, the management revoked that privilege following the series loss, which rocked India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, and training sessions are again required.

Also Read: India will have to get their act together if they want to play WTC Final: Anil Kumble

On November 10, India will depart for Australia for the much awaited five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series after the conclusion of the third Test.