'Red and White': Indian cricketers undergo net session for both short and long formats
Sydney: Indian cricketers had their first full-fledged net session on Sunday with the squad members training simultaneously for both red and white ball formats during the day.
While Saturday's first training session was mostly about gym and running workouts, the players were seen hitting the straps right away on the second day itself.
It is understood from the videos of the practice session that the BCCI shared on its social media feed that since the Test specialists are also traveling, the red ball training will also happen along with usual white ball nets.
Captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, India's two specialist slip fielders, were seen taking catches with the red ball for a considerable period of time.
On the other hand, India's newest pace sensation T Natarajan was bowling with the white kookaburra at the nets. Natarajan had an extended bowling session at the nets on the day and bowled to almost all the top-order white-ball batsmen.
"We have seen him a bowl with a lot of success in the @IPL and here is @Natarajan_91 bowling in the #TeamIndia nets for the first time after his maiden India call-up! A dream come true moment," the BCCI tweeted.
His Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman termed it an "inspirational story".
The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin will be training only with the red ball and the others who are in both the squads will be doing a "mix and match" as per the training schedule.
The reason for having nets with players of both formats is to get acclimatized to the red ball as most of the players haven't played red-ball cricket since the first week of March.
With two first-class games including one pink practice game lined-up within a few days after the white ball series, it is only imperative that the red ball specialists get as much net time as possible to get into the groove.
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Amid Middle East tensions, flights cancellations at M’luru airport to continue on March 1, 2; Here’s
Mangaluru: Several flights operating to Gulf destinations from Mangaluru International Airport will remain cancelled on March 1 amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The cancellations follow the closure of multiple airspaces after strikes on Iran by Israel and the United States on Saturday. As a precautionary measure, Indian airlines have suspended services to several destinations in the Gulf region.
According to airport sources, the following Air India Express (IX) flights scheduled for March 1 and March 2 have been cancelled due to operational reasons:
IX845 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Jeddah
IX846 (March 1) – Jeddah–Mangaluru
IX817 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Muscat
IX818 (March 1) – Muscat–Mangaluru
IX831 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
IX832 (March 1) – Dubai–Mangaluru
IX813 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
IX814 (March 2) – Dubai–Mangaluru
IX841 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Bahrain
IX842 (March 2) – Bahrain–Mangaluru
IX815 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi
IX816 (March 2) – Abu Dhabi–Mangaluru
Among these, the inaugural Mangaluru–Muscat service also stands cancelled.
IndiGo (6E) has also cancelled the following flights on March 1:
6E1468 (March 1) – Dubai–Mangaluru
6E1467 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Dubai
6E1438 (March 1) – Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi
Air India Express suspends flights to gulf sector till 1 March
Low-cost carrier Air India Express which operates a large network of flights connecting various Indian cities to the Middle East have announced suspended of all its flights until 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the airline said, “Air India Express flights to the Gulf region are suspended till 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026. Guests are eligible for a free date change or cancellation for travel scheduled till 5 March 2026.”
Air India Express flights to the Gulf region are suspended till 23:59 hrs on 1 March 2026.
— Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) February 28, 2026
Guests are eligible for a free date change or cancellation for travel scheduled till 5 March 2026. Fare difference applies. For any assistance, guests may #ChatWithTia or use 'Manage… pic.twitter.com/j4F5b1pYTz
Meanwhile other airlines also followed suit, Spice Jet, Indigo and Air India urged passengers to check flight status.
Travel Advisory
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 28, 2026
We are continuing to closely monitor the evolving situation in and around Iran and the Middle East. We are sending out notifications to customers on their registered mobile numbers. Customers can also refer to the list of cancelled flights on our website…
#TravelUpdate: Due to airspace closure in Dubai (DXB), some of our flights may be affected. Passengers are advised to check their flight status at https://t.co/2wynECZugy or contact our 24*7 Reservation Helpline numbers at +91 (0)124 4983410 or +91 (0)124 7101600 for assistance.
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) February 28, 2026
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) February 28, 2026
In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to…
Budget carrier Akasa Air separately announced that it has suspended all operations to Gulf destinations until March 2, 2026.
#TravelUpdate: Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, all Akasa Air flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh have been suspended until March 02, 2026. We will continue updating our flight status to these destinations, basis the prevailing situation…
— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) February 28, 2026
