Argus News - Gambhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Three Players of Team India Visit Puri Jagannath Temple Ahead of Barabati T20

Puri, Dec 9: Ahead of the T20 series opener against South Africa at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium today, four members of Team India, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, visited the Jagannath Temple for darshan of Lord Jagannath.

Gambhir was accompanied by players Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, and Washington Sundar. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also offered prayers at the temple alongside his wife, Devisha Shetty.

Meanwhile, temple servitors performed a ceremonial lamp offering, praying for Team India’s victory. “We hope the players perform well and emerge victorious not just in today’s match, but throughout the T20 series,” they said.

At Barabati Stadium, anticipation is high for the fourth T20 clash between India and South Africa. Team India trained under Gambhir’s guidance for three hours on the practice pitch yesterday, with batters and bowlers fine-tuning their skills.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Yadav said the squad is fully fit and motivated. “We have already won the daily series, and tomorrow promises another exciting contest,” he added.

South Africa’s squad, led by Aiden Markram, practised under floodlights in the evening. Markram noted that while his team has previously won at Barabati, he is new to this pitch. “We are well-prepared and ready for the challenge,” he said.

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Fans thronged the stadium during practice sessions, their enthusiasm reflecting the excitement for the match. Barabati has hosted three T20 internationals to date, with India claiming victory only once, against Sri Lanka in 2017. South Africa won the two previous encounters here, in 2015 and 2022. With history favouring the visitors, all eyes are on whether India can turn the tide in today's high-voltage clash.