This Tuesday evening in Mumbai was anything but ordinary.
Marine Drive, typically bustling, was unusually calm. Churchgate, usually alive with activity, seemed to take a moment to breathe. Even Wankhede Stadium, a place filled with energy, felt strangely silent.
Inside the iconic stadium, preparations were underway for India’s semifinal match against England. However, the grounds were eerily quiet, with flags fluttering over unoccupied practice strips, giving it a ghostly atmosphere.
By 5 PM, the England team had left, and the stadium entered a rare stillness.
India was remaining patient.
As a lunar eclipse briefly cast its shadow, the Indian team decided to delay their training, allowing the celestial event to pass.
Once the eclipse concluded at 7 PM, the floodlights at Wankhede kicked on, breaking the silence.
India was aware that this was their only late-night practice session before the big match. Every moment counted, despite the delayed start.
The memory of their opening game at Wankhede, where Suryakumar Yadav had to pull off a rescue act, still lingered. The pitch, with its rich grass cover two days before the match, might change form by the time Harry Brook and Suryakumar met for the toss.
India was preparing for every scenario.
The practice areas reflected this mindset, featuring four nets—two lively with grass and two dry and hard, typical for the subcontinent.
They practiced against the kind of bowling they might face. From Jofra Archer’s quick delivery to varied spins, they simulated it all.
As the training session rolled on, one detail stood out.
As the players rotated, Hardik Pandya remained constant. While other players switched nets, Hardik became the focal point of the training.
A TEST OF SPEED FOR THE TOP FOUR
Training began with pairings. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav headed to the spin nets, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan opted for the pace nets. Rinku Singh quietly resumed batting after taking a break due to his father’s passing.
Abhishek Sharma started his routine with some off-spin bowling.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya took his position in the net, which had the thickest grass.
In the spin nets, Suryakumar and Tilak quickly found their rhythm, hitting balls into the stands. Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Abhishek all felt the power of their shots. The message was clear: the team wanted to be comfortable against spin.
In the pace nets, the pressure was on.
Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dube unleashed bouncers on Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, mirroring the aggression they anticipated from Archer.
One delivery even hit Ishan’s helmet, but he quickly adjusted and continued.
HITTING FOR THE STANDS
In the adjacent net, Hardik Pandya was already hard at work.
By around 7:30 PM, he was launching balls into the air without hesitation.
He started strong, sending full deliveries over long-on and midwicket.
Timing was initially elusive, but that didn’t deter him.
For over an hour, the batters swapped nets. While Tilak and Surya faced pacers, Samson and Ishan tackled spin. Yet, Hardik stayed put.
Some hits were clean, some not as much, but his intent remained unwavering as he aimed high towards the stadium’s upper levels.
CATCHING DRILLS CONTINUE
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma, along with Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, focused on precise catching drills, timing them to practice against the darkening sky.
Attention to catching was crucial, especially after Abhishek had dropped two catches in their recent match against the West Indies. Overall, India had dropped more than ten catches throughout the tournament, the worst record among teams that reached the Super 8s.
HARDIK KEEPS GOING
As fielding drills continued, the unmistakable sound of Hardik Pandya’s bat echoed around the stadium.
The rhythm of the training settled into a pattern, with players rotating and Hardik continuing his relentless swinging.
At around 9 PM, as some batters stepped away, Hardik stayed put.
When he eventually shifted nets to accommodate Abhishek, he still kept batting.
A BRIEF SESSION FOR ABHISHEK
Abhishek’s time in the net was shorter, but he faced off-spin and net bowlers confidently, even clearing the stands with some shots against Arshdeep Singh.
Having been dismissed for only ten runs in the last match, he looked focused and sought to refine his style.
By 9:15 PM, two hours had elapsed, and the practice continued. Sanju returned for throwdowns, while Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube also took their turns.
Hardik Pandya, however, was still there, hitting with the same intensity he had shown at the start of practice.
Having faced over a hundred deliveries, he showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, his energy seemed to grow.
Gradually, the nets emptied and the field quieted down.
As the clock struck 10 PM, Hardik finally walked away, thanking the net bowlers who had supported him through the marathon practice.
His tournament had seen ups and downs, with two fifties but a lack of customary finesse. So, on this quiet evening in Mumbai, under the shadow of a lunar eclipse and in a nearly empty stadium, he sought to regain his rhythm.
Against England, it just might be what the team needs.
