File Photo: Virat Kohli during a Tour match against Leicestershire.
© AFP
After the shocking demise and a tearful funeral of Phillip Hughes, cricket in Australia will be back on its feet on Thursday. On the day when the first Test between India and Australia was originally scheduled -- December 4 -- India play their second tour game, five days before the first Test in Adelaide.
The highly-anticipated series between India and Australia has taken backseat after the tragic and early loss of Hughes. The entire cricketing fraternity has been reeling from the loss of Hughes, who died on Thursday after being knocked out by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match on Tuesday.
The celebrations may be muted, the aggression too could be toned down but cricket will come as a much-needed tonic for the grieving cricketers.
As far as the Indians are concerned, this will be a good chance to clear their minds and assess the conditions ahead of the tough four-match Test series. The return of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, by December 5, adds a spring in the step of the tourists, who had a nightmarish series in 2011. Dhoni's return only means that Virat Kohli's debut as Test skipper will have to wait.
Phillip Hughes funeral was conducted in his hometown of Macksville on Wednesday.
© AFP
The Tragic Turn of Events and the Show of Solidarity
On November 25 in a Sheffield Shield game, Phillip Hughes was knocked out by a bouncer from Sean Abbott. Hughes tried to maintain composure but fell face-first. Doctors revealed he never recovered. On Thursday, much to the shock and distress of the cricketing fraternity, the unfortunate news of Hughes' losing his battle with life broke.
Hughes' passing left the entire cricketing fraternity in the lurch. Tears, prayers and tributes were flowing in from all corners as fans and players alike paid glowing tributes to the 25-year-old left-handed batmsan. Aussie skipper Michael Clarke read out a poignant eulogy for his "little brother" Hughes at the funeral.
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