NEW DELHI: It's that time of the year when the national capital becomes a furnace, and venturing outside becomes quite a chore. And if the mercury rises up to 44 degrees, then it is advisable to stay home, or in the office, in the sweltering heat.
But then there is the call of duty. The South African cricket team has been hitting the nets regularly at Kotla (Arun Jaitley Stadium) despite the city feeling like an incinerator. Their objective is to win the five-match T20I series against India.
The IPL stars took it light here on Saturday, but the others toiled hard in the heat. The paradox was evident: Quinton de Kock shadow-practiced his golfing skills with his cricket bat, while another opener in the South African squad, Reeza Hendricks, and skipper Temba Bavuma sweated out.
Tabraiz Shamsi, the world No.1 bowler in T20Is, and Keshav Maharaj, the two main spinners in the Proteas squad, were not part of the 2022 IPL. With spin expected to play a major role in the series, the duo got into the thick of things.
Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, both were part of the IPL but couldn't play an impactful role for their franchises Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals respectively. They took the nets adjacent to Bavuma and Hendricks to put in that bit extra.
The Indian cricketers are in the middle of a much-needed break post a two-month-long IPL. The members of the squad for the South Africa series will assemble in Delhi on June 5.
