As India gear up for the second Test against the West Indies in Delhi, the players took a welcome breather from the cricket grind.
Ahead of the match, head coach Gautam Gambhir hosted a casual dinner at his residence - an evening that saw the entire squad, coaching staff, and BCCI officials gather for some off-field bonding.
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The relaxed get-together, held on Wednesday evening, came just days after India's dominant innings win in Ahmedabad.
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Addressing questions about the informal dinner, India captain Shubman Gill said it was a regular part of team culture rather than anything out of the ordinary. He explained that these gatherings help players connect beyond the field, especially during long tours.
“Team dinners, I think, used to happen before as well. Team dinners, in any tour, you go. So, most of the players are very busy. Many of the players have their own families. In the ground, we meet, spend a lot of time together. But a lot of conversations are limited. So, it is important that for any team, you know each other off the field as well,” Gill said.
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The Indian skipper added that such dinners are organized multiple times in a series to maintain a relaxed, friendly environment within the group.
“We try two or three times in every series that the team comes together once, and there is a very light atmosphere,” he added.
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India's focus shifts to Delhi Test
The dinner comes at a good time for India, who lead the series 1-0 after their commanding win in Ahmedabad. Ravindra Jadeja's all-round brilliance and hundreds from KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel powered the hosts to win.
With momentum firmly on their side, India will look to wrap up the series in style at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
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