WATCH: Team India share lighter moments in chilling cold temperature in Mohali while training ahead of 1st T20I against Afghanistan

Despite the single-digit temperatures, dedicated fans endured the cold to await Team India's bus. Subsequently, head coach Rahul Dravid, wearing a beanie cap, disclosed to the media that Virat Kohli would be absent from the first match due to personal reasons but would be ready for the subsequent two games. Dravid affirmed that Rohit Sharma, making a return to the T20I team after a 14-month hiatus, would partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal as the opening pair.

Amidst all these news, the Indian cricket team players faced harsh weather conditions as they worked on refining their preparations in Mohali leading up to the T20I series opener against Afghanistan on Thursday, January 11. In the chilling temperatures, the players were seen rubbing their hands or using hand warmers while practising. 

The Indian Cricket Board posted a video on the social media platform 'X,' formerly known as Twitter, illustrating how the Men in Blue confronted the chilly conditions at the IS Bindra Stadium while sharpening their skills in a training session ahead of the upcoming clash. In the star India batter, Shubman Gill is seen talking about the temperature.

"Not that cold, huh? Actually, it's very cold. I think it would be around 7 degrees. I just keep my hands in my pocket but I would not advise that unless you have hand warmers in your pocket," Gill says in the video.

Watch the video here;

Team India practice session in Mohali cold. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/3DnTrPlnDm

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 11, 2024

It is hard for the spinners to grip ball: Kuldeep Yadav

India's recently identified finisher in the shortest format of the game, Rinku Singh also shared his experience with the impact of the drop in temperature. Rinku remarked on the cold conditions, noting that he had just returned from Kerala after participating in a domestic game (UP vs Kerala, Ranji Trophy), where the weather was extremely hot.

"Bhai sahab bahut thand hai. Dekho abhi main domestic ka match khel ke aaya hoon Kerala mein. Wahan par aisi garmi this, May-June waali” Rinku is heard in the video.

In addition to it, the speedster Arshdeep Singh saw the lighter side of the incident and said that it is pretty hot and that is the reason why he is wearing half sleeves. Wish it was a bit cooler than what it is. Also, lastly the star India spinner Kuldeep was seen saying that in such cold temperatures, it becomes difficult to grip the ball for a spinner. Hence it will be challenging 

“Kaafi garmi lag rahi hai yaar tabhi half sleeves mein ghoom raha hoon. Thodi si thand hoti toh achha lagta,” Arshdeep said.

“It is hard for the spinners to grip ball. It will be challenging to play under these conditions” Kuldeep Yadav.