Indian pacer Thakur resumes outdoor training
Image : Collected
|| Desk Report ||
Pace bowler Shardul Thakur became the first Indian cricketer to start outdoor training after the two months of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
It’s leant for the instrumentality of the media, England pace duo Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes took to the field to start training individually maintaining the guideline of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) prior to Thakur.
Thakur hit a local ground at Boisar in Maharashtra’s Palghar district along with some domestic players.
“Yes, we practised today. It was good and definitely pleasing to practice after two months lull,” said Shardul Thakur, who has featured in one Check coupled with 11 ODIs and 15 T20s so far.
An official said that the Palghar Dahanu Taluka Sports Association started the net sessions at Boisar, which is around 110 kms away from Mumbai, commercial capital of India.
Strict safety protocols were followed, with each bowler getting his own set of disinfected balls.
“All the safety measures were followed. The bowlers got their own balls which were disinfected and temperatures of the players who came for practice were also checked,” the official said.
Mumbai batsman Hardik Tamore, who made his Ranji debut for the domestic giants last season, was also seen training at the same ground.
“Once the guidelines from the Palghar District collector (state government) were issued concerning sports, it was always the aim to begin the training process,” Ajinkya Naik, Council member of Mumbai Cricket Association said.
“Due to our fantastic facility in Palghar district, we were able to facilitate a much-needed training program to our esteemed players while adhering to social distancing norms and hygiene,” he added.
Top cricketers like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have resorted to home workouts to keep themselves fit during the lockdown, are still waiting to resume individual training.
Only India pacer Mohammed Shami has been able to train outside, in his own farm land.
