December 23, 2024: Ahead of the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series, Team India brought some fun and excitement to their preparation with a lively fielding drill that had $300 up for grabs. With the series tied 1-1 after India’s draw in Brisbane, the Indian team is gearing up for the crucial Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the fielding drill was a perfect way to bring energy to the squad before the intense action begins.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a clip of the fun session on their official social media handles. In the video, India’s fielding coach, T Dilip, explained the drill, which involved hitting three different stumps, each worth varying points. The bigger stump was worth one point, the smaller stump was worth two points, and the ball in the center held the most value, with four points. Players were divided into three groups and took turns from six different markers to hit their targets, with the highest score winning the cash reward.
“The key objective for me today was getting all together and making sure that before we kick off into the nets we get some energy going,” Dilip said, highlighting the importance of team bonding and maintaining intensity before heading into the nets. “When we work as a group, it’s outstanding,” he added.
The drill was not only about improving fielding accuracy and focus but also about building team morale, with friendly competition and a bit of cash incentive making the session even more engaging. The $300 prize added an extra layer of fun and motivation, and after a competitive round, Dhruv Jurel emerged as the winner, taking home the cash prize.
BCCI shared the moment on social media with the caption, “Target hitting with points system. 3 groups led by young captains. Cash reward on the line. Fun, energy and intensity – #TeamIndia gears up for the Melbourne Test with a lively fielding drill with Fielding coach T Dilip.”
The fun yet competitive drill is a perfect example of how India’s coaching staff blends hard work and team-building exercises to ensure that the players are not only physically sharp but also mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. As the team heads to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test, these light-hearted sessions play a key role in maintaining a positive and energetic atmosphere in the lead-up to the match.
