Team India will 'officially' kick off their preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 on Monday (October 17) when they take on hosts Australia in a warm-up clash at the Gabba in Brisbane. The teams recently met in a three-match T20I series in India which the hosts won 2-1.
While India has already played two warm-up games against Western Australia in Perth having arrived in the country on October 6, Monday's clash will be the first of two official warm-up games they will play, with the next against New Zealand on Wednesday at the same venue. The warm-up games don't carry international status but are organised by the ICC to help the teams prepare.
Fast bowler Mohammad Shami also joined the Indian team in Brisbane, for his first practice session since arrival in Australia as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the tournament with a stress reaction in his back.
WATCH- Mohammad Shami gets into the groove ahead of Australia warmup match
All eyes will be on Virat Kohli on Monday, as the former captain did not play against Western Australia, instead opting for net sessions as well as centre wicket practice after the games concluded. He is expected to feature for India in these two warm-up matches, though the focus will continue to be providing everyone with opportunities.
Ahead of the warm-up game, Kohli was seen in a lighter mood with KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, as he showed off some funny dance moves which left his teammates in splits.
WATCH HERE:
ICC also shared an Instagram reel of Virat having a lot of fun during the practice session on Sunday.
India will play Pakistan in their first match on October 23 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which will be at full capacity with all tickets sold out for the marquee clash of the arch-rivals.
