SA vs IND 2018: Team India skips practice and media session before series opener

South Africa won the toss and will be batting in Cape Town.

The popular rivalry gets a kickstart at Cape Town. (AFP)

The Indian cricket team on Thursday skipped the optional practice session ahead of the opening Test against South Africa, while skipper Virat Kohli also gave the pre-match press briefing a miss, a noticeable departure from the convention for a bilateral engagement.

Early in the day, the team management declared the pre-Test practice session would be an optional one.However, it was surprising to see none of the players arrive for even a brief session. Even those, who are not expected to play a part in the Cape Town Test, didn't come out for practice.

According to a source from the support staff since the practice session was an optional one Team India decided to skip it. 

Additionally, the Indian media manager confirmed that there was no word from Cricket South Africa either that the captain should be made available for the briefing.

After waiting for just over an hour, in a bid to express their displeasure at this development, two television crews walked off while Bangar's press conference was still going on.

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 05 Jan, 2018

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