Cricket fans are anticipating an exciting three-match Twenty20 International series starting on January 11 between Team Indian and Afghanistan.
Both teams will face the bitter cold of winter in the first game, which takes place at the Punjab Cricket Association’s IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The BCCI posted a video on social media showing the Indian players working against the cold at the IS Bindra Stadium during a demanding training session, giving fans a peek into the players’ preparation. During their practice session the day before the game in Mohali, Indian cricket players were spotted discussing their experiences with the play.
In the video, Shubman Gill says, “Not that cold, huh?” in a casual manner. But he soon has a reality check as he says, “Actually, it’s really cold.” It would be about seven degrees, I believe. Though I wouldn’t suggest that unless you had hand warmers in your pocket, I simply keep my hands in my pockets.
Jacket 🧥 ON
Warmers ON
Gloves 🧤 ON #TeamIndia have a funny take on their “chilling” ❄️🥶 training session in Mohali. #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/rWeodTeDr2— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2024
Bhai sahab bahut thand hai, quips KKR star Rinku Singh, who is also a member of the team, to further lighten the mood. Kerala mein dekho abhi main khel ke aaya hoon ke domestic ka match. May-June waali (extremely cold) wahan par aisi garmi thi. It was really hot there when I recently returned from Kerala, where I had been playing a domestic game.
“Kaafi garmi lag rahi hai yaar tabhi half sleeves mein ghoom raha hoon,” jokes Pacer Arshdeep Singh, injecting a little humor into the conversation. I’m wearing half-sleeves because it’s quite hot outside. Thodi si thand hoti toh achha lagta. I wish it were a little more awesome than it is.
The first Twenty20 International, slated for 7:00 PM IST, promises to be a cold match, with the toss at 6:30 PM IST. Mohali is expected to report temperatures between 6 and 9 degrees Celsius in the morning. As night falls, the temperature might fall to as low as three degrees Celsius.
There is a noticeable drop in temperature in several areas, particularly in North Indian, which is causing a lot of haze and fog. The current Ranji Trophy matches often began late or saw relatively few overs bowled during the day, despite the fact that this also makes it harder to see in the morning. In fact, play was impossible on three of the four days in a match between Rajasthan and Haryana in Lahli, Rohtak, and the team could not even finish the first inning.
Before the T20 World Cup later this year, this series will be India’s last in the shortest format as the teams aim for triumph. India and Afghanistan would both want to get off to a good start in the series before the former prepares for the red-ball series at home against England.
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