The Indian cricket team has landed in New York City as they gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The buzz is palpable as the players immerse themselves in training sessions and the vibrant life of the city. Strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai is overseeing their fitness regimen, which kicked off on Tuesday, May 28. While the entire squad, including those who were involved in the latter stages of the IPL 2024 playoffs, has made their way to New York, there is one exception—Rinku Singh, who flew in on Tuesday.
Apart from their rigorous training routines, the players are also taking advantage of the New York summer to explore the city. One such player is India’s opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal. He took to social media to share a post of himself strolling in New York’s famed ‘Garden City’, dressed in the Indian training kit. Little did he anticipate the humorous reaction his post would elicit.
In a comment that quickly went viral, Suryakumar Yadav playfully quipped, “Sambhaal ke. Garden mein ghooma toh pata hai na (Be careful. If you roam around in the garden, you know what happens right…),” referencing an iconic dialogue from Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Sharma had made this remark in a moment of exasperation during the Test series against England, and it has since become a running joke among Indian players, including Yadav and R Ashwin, as well as within IPL franchises and even Sharma himself.
The amusing exchange underscores the camaraderie and light-hearted banter that often characterizes the Indian team, even as they prepare for one of the most intense cricketing tournaments globally.
This will be Jaiswal’s first T20 World Cup, and he is set to open alongside Rohit Sharma. Although Jaiswal’s IPL season was less than stellar, his potential to go hard from the top order makes him a promising starter in India’s XI.
. The Indian squad’s T20 World Cup campaign is set to kick off against Ireland on Wednesday, June 5. Before diving into the tournament, the team will face Bangladesh in a warm-up game on June 1 at Nassau County Stadium in New York.
The humor and light-hearted comments are a testament to the team’s relaxed yet focused mindset going into the World Cup. Rohit Sharma’s infamous dialogue gained legendary status after being captured by the stump mic, showcasing the unfiltered side of cricket. It has since become a part of cricketing folklore, shared and circulated among fans and players alike.
As the team prepares for the upcoming matches, several other cricket-centric stories have made headlines. Among these, Axar Patel and Jos Buttler have registered significant gains in the ICC T20I rankings, creating a buzz as the World Cup approaches. In another development, Indian wicket-keeper Sanju Samson shared his concerns about not being close to selection for the World Cup but expressed pride in his exceptional IPL performance. Meanwhile, Pakistani batsman Fakhar Zaman has overtaken Rohit Sharma and now sets his sights on surpassing Virat Kohli in the latest ICC T20I standings.
These developments add to the anticipation of the T20 World Cup, as fans eagerly await the unfolding of top-tier cricketing action. For the Indian team, enjoying the sights and sounds of New York City is a refreshing break and an opportunity for players to bond and build on their shared experiences. As evident from Jaiswal’s post and Suryakumar’s hilarious response, the players are finding moments of joy amid their training schedules, reflecting a balanced approach between their professional commitments and personal leisure.
In conclusion, while the Indian cricket team settles into their surroundings in New York City, their focus remains firmly on the task at hand: the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The blend of rigorous training, team bonding, and light-hearted interactions like the one between Jaiswal and Yadav adds an exciting layer of readiness. As they navigate the city and their preparations, fans worldwide look on with bated breath, hopeful for a thrilling and victorious campaign.
