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Mumbai Indians took to X on Friday to share a video of Rohit Sharma facing Hardik Pandya in the nets as they start preparations for ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Rohit Sharma faces Hardik Pandya in practice session. (Picture Credit: Screengrab)
Indian men’s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has kicked off his preparations for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England as well as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Several videos of the right-handed batter who top-scored for India in the T20 World Cup 2024, as well as the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August last year, doing batting practice with the white ball are going viral on the internet.
Rohit himself took to Instagram on Friday afternoon to share a video of him batting in the practice session, and in the evening his IPL franchise Mumbai Indians shared a video of him and Hardik having a face-off in the practice session.
In the clip going viral on the internet, Hardik can be seen bowling to his India captain, who played some delightful shots.
Here’s a look:
Hardik, who last played a 50-over match for India on October 19, 2023, against Bangladesh in Pune, is all set to be picked in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad on Saturday. The 31-year-old cricketer from Baroda was part of India’s squad in the 2017 edition of the Champions Trophy as well, and he top-scored in the final against Pakistan, which the Virat Kohli-led side lost by 180 runs.
Before taking part in the Champions Trophy, Hardik will play in the T20I series against England. The five-match series between India and England is scheduled to start on January 22 in Kolkata, and the next four matches will be played in Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai on January 25, 28, 31, and February 2, respectively.
Hardik’s last took the field for India in November 2024 during the four-match T20I series against South Africa. After the conclusion of the away series, which India won with a scoreline of 3-1, Hardik played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda and impressed with his all-round show.
Hardik’s form with the bat and ball will play a big role for India in the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to be played from February 19 to March 9 in three venues across Pakistan and one in Dubai. India will play all its matches in Dubai, and the final will also take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium if the Men in Blue qualify for it.
