ICC U19 World Cup: Poor net facility, practice session hits Rahul Dravid`s boys - Report

New Delhi: The Indian U19 team faced major problems during their practice session on Wednesday with the nets not being safe for an ideal preperation.

According to a report in The Times of India, the Indian side's coach Rahul Dravid had warned his players prior to the net session at the cricket stadium in Fatullah.

“Boys, the net is not safe. Everyone please be alert. And batsman be a bit careful,” said Dravid.

Dravid's warning then came true when batsman Armaan Jaffer hit a ball down the ground which knocked out pacer Shubham Mavi in the adjacent net.

Reports claim that the nets had no overhead covering. Also another issue was that the net practice was held very close to the stands which meant any top edge or a good shot on the batsman's on-side would enter there.

Moreover lack of ball-boys meant there wasn't anybody to fetch the balls if it reached the stands. This led to Dravid asking his support staff in arranging someone to help them out.

Also the pacers were asked to shift to the other net as the landing area was uneven. Skipper Ishan Kishan praised the practice pitches but highlighted þhe issue about the nets.

“The practice pitches are really good. That's what matters the most. It was just the nets weren't entirely covered,” captain Ishan Kishan said.

There were also reports of a disgruntled Indian team who have felt uneasy with distance to the stadium from their hotel and the manic traffic.