Rohit Sharma Turns Coach During India Nets Session, Offers Batting Tips To...

Rohit Sharma did more than fine-tune his own preparations ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Vadodara on Saturday. The senior India cricketer offered a helping hand to a teammate struggling to connect his shot during an optional practice session at the BCA Stadium.

India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who is making his ODI comeback after being dropped for the South Africa series, had arrived early for the training session. As Rohit waited outside the nets, he spotted Siraj failing to connect while going for a big hit. The ex-captain then proceeded to give some tips to the tailender, who only underwent a batting stint.

Rohit Sharma giving some tips to Siraj during net session.❤️ pic.twitter.com/5RWzNHJGmZ

— ????????????????????????????⁴⁵

(@rushiii_12) January 10, 2026

India ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also trained alongside wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul. He’s been picked in the India squad after recovering from a spleen injury during the Australia tour last year.

Iyer recently captained Mumbai in their narrow one-run loss to Punjab on Thursday in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His selection in the squad was subject to fitness, but several reports claim that the middle-order batter has been cleared by the BCCI Centre Of Excellence where he was undergoing rehab.

The other wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also had a hit in the nets. In an injury scare for India, Pant briefly needed treatment after being hit during net practice.

Each of the three, Siraj, Iyer, and Pant, were busy playing for their respective state teams in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with the matches on January 8 being their most recent appearance.

Pant, however, was left grimacing in pain when he copped a blow just above his waist while batting against Indian throwdown specialists and was attended by the team’s support staff and other members, including head coach Gautam Gambhir.

After receiving some initial treatment, Pant walked off the field of the BCA Stadium’s Ground B, where India captain Shubman Gill was seen having a long chat with the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar.

The three-ODI series against a new-look New Zealand team will get underway here with the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium set to host its first men’s international match.

The second ODI will be played at Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium on January 14, while the third and final will be at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

With PTI Inputs