Practice in full swing: India, Bangladesh hit the nets

Bhopal: With just two days left for the T20 series to kick-off on Oct 6, India and Bangladesh teams have hit the nets and were seen engaged in rigorous training sessions at the Madhavrao Scindia International Cricket Stadium in Gwalior on Thursday. Gwalior is set to host its first international match after a long wait of 14 years.As Gwalior buzzes with cricket fans eagerly waiting to see their favourite players in action, the Madhavrao stadium, which has a seating capacity of around 30,000, is expected to be filled to the brim on Oct 6. Fans have already started booking hotel rooms and making arrangements ahead of the match. The upcoming India-Bangladesh T20I series in Gwalior promises to be an exciting affair, with both teams looking to start the series on a winning note.Bangladesh team, under the leadership of Nazmul Hussain Shanto, underwent an intensive practice session on the ground. The players dedicated an hour to net practice after a warm-up run, focusing on batting, bowling, and catching drills to fine-tune their skills. The Bangladeshi players were seen discussing strategies and sharing tips with each other during the session.The return of 26-year-old spinner Mehdi Hasan Miraz to Bangladesh's T20 squad after a 14-month absence has strengthened the team's spin department. Rakibul Hasan and Rishad Hussain were also seen practising alongside Miraz on the ground. The trio of spinners looked in good form and were seen bowling long spells in the nets, trying to get accustomed to the pitch conditions at the Madhavrao Scindia International Cricket Stadium.The Indian team arrived on the ground in the evening. Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Jiten Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Abhishek Sharma were seen participating. The young Indian players looked eager to prove their mettle and cement their place in the team.The pitch at the Madhavrao Scindia International Cricket Stadium is known to be a batting-friendly surface, with the ball coming nicely onto the bat. However, the bowlers are also expected to play a crucial role, especially in the later stages of the match when the pitch starts to wear out. The Gwalior administration has taken precautionary measures by issuing a prohibitory order under section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, which will be in effect until Oct 7, to ensure law and order in the city. The authorities have also made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents during the match. The police have been deployed in large numbers around the stadium and at key locations in the city to maintain peace and security.
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