AUS vs IND 2024-25: Public banned from watching India net sessions at Adelaide Oval

Ahead of India Pink Ball Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the team has decided to restrict public access to their training sessions, effectively ending the brief experiment of open practice that grabbed thousands of fans in Adelaide.

A massive crowd of nearly 5,000 fans reached the training venue in Adelaide, to witness the Indian stars practice. What began as an attempt by Cricket Australia to have some fan engagement quickly spiralled into a situation that the visitors found increasingly uncomfortable.

During the open training session, players were subjected to an intense and invasive fan experience. Supporters were positioned next to the nets, creating a tough environment for players preparing for the crucial pink-ball Test match.

The supporters were demanding chants like "chauka maar" (hit a four) and "chakkar maar" (hit a six). Some players even complained about the demeaning remarks about their performances during net sessions.

Very different. Not used to it: KL Rahul

KL Rahul, acknowledged the unusual experience, noting that while they are accustomed to crowds during white-ball cricket and the Indian Premier League, this was different for Test cricket preparations. 

“Very different (practice sessions with spectators). Not used to it. We have had practice with crowds, but it’s mostly T20 and ODIs back home; we’ve had crowds come in and watch our practice sessions. So it felt a little different, but it also added to your preparation for the test match and gave us a bit of what we can expect on day one or all the days here in Adelaide, so it was good," KL Rahul told reporters on Wednesday, December 04.

A source close to the team revealed significant concerns about the proximity of fans to the players. “India have expressed a preference for their remaining training sessions not to be open to the public to minimize potential noise or distractions,” a CA spokesperson told The Age.

Also Read: How India have performed in pink ball Tests over the years

Moving forward, India will look towards the strict approach they initially adopted in Perth, where training sessions were shielded from public view using large black hessian covers. The remaining training sessions in Brisbane and Sydney will be closed to the public, with only media personnel allowed access.