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Champions Trophy 2017: Unfazed by roumoured rift, coach Anil Kumble gives Virat Kohli throwdowns

Anil Kumble Gave Skipper Virat Kohli Throwdowns During The Indian Cricket Team's Indoor Net Session In Birmingham On Friday Ahead Of Their Champions Trophy Clash Against Arch-rivals Pakistan.

PTI | Updated on: 02 Jun 2017, 07:53:05 PM
A file photo shows Team India captain Virat Kohli with coach Anil Kumble.

Birmingham:

The rumoured captain-coach rift, the drama and intrigue seemed to have taken a backseat as Anil Kumble gave skipper Virat Kohli throwdowns during the Indian cricket team's indoor net session in Birmingham on Friday ahead of their Champions Trophy clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. 

The alleged rift between the two most influential figures in the Indian dressing room has dominated headlines over the last few days. The last leg of Team India's run-up to the tournament has been rocky, thanks to the reported coach-captain split. 

In this context, it was a welcome sight to see the two men doing their job at the Edgbaston, together.

Read | ICC Champions Trophy 2017 | Team Preview: New task for Bangladesh; how to defeat big teams? 

With inclement weather denying the team a chance of outdoor nets, most of the top batsmen were seen taking throwdowns for a considerable period of time. 

With four nets adjacent to each other, the focus of attention was the first one where skipper Kohli was a picture of concentration. 

However, the snap of the session was Kumble giving throwdowns to the captain. Kohli initially was doing some conventional knocking, trying to get a feel of the ball. 

Even if there was any discomfort between the reportedly 'warring duo', it was not evident in their body language during the session.

Read | 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, Team Preview | Australia: Buoyed by strong pace quartet, batting stalwarts; former champions aim for record third title 

After playing some drives, Kohli tried to play some shots square off the wicket. Kumble spent close to a good 20 minutes before he went to the second net. 

There, it was Yuvraj Singh, who was being given throwdowns by batting coach Sanjay Bangar. 

Once Kumble was done with his drill, he and Bangar swapped nets. Recovering from viral fever, Yuvraj didn't play in the two practice games and will be keen to get a good hit before the big-ticket Pakistan match on Sunday. 

In another net, Rohit Sharma was facing throwdowns from none other than former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and specialist 'Raghavendra'. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that former India captain Sourav Ganguly did not meet the players as was reported in a section of the media.

Read  | Sunil Gavaskar questions veracity of Virat Kohli-Anil Kumble rift reports

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First Published : 02 Jun 2017, 07:37:00 PM

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