The preparations for the fifth and final T20I between India and England at the Rose Bowl in Southampton took an unusual turn on Saturday after the Indian team was delayed on the road, forcing a change in schedule ahead of the match.While India had not yet reached this stage, England’s players made the most of the extra time by participating in the free-flowing rondo, a popular football game used by several sports teams to improve passing speed, movement and flexibility.The hosts looked relaxed despite the delay, with the players enjoying the warm-up as they waited for the visitors to arrive on the pitch. Footage from the ground showed England’s cricketers taking quick turns in the round, which has become popular in football training sessions and is also used by cricket teams to improve communication before matches.The delay came after the Indian team bus got stuck in traffic on the way to the Rose Bowl. As a result, the toss, which was originally scheduled to start at 7:00 PM IST, was delayed by 30 minutes. The officials later confirmed that the toss would take place at 7:15 PM IST, and the match would start at 7:30 PM IST.Watch: England players enjoy a rondo football match as they wait for India to delay their arrival at the Rose BowlWhen the Indian party arrived at the scene, preparations were made quickly. Captain Shreyas Iyer was seen walking onto the field with his bat and gloves in a brief practice session, while all-rounder Suryansh Shedge was seen showing off his off-spinner, prompting speculation that he could be part of the playing XI. There were also signs that India could turn things around after a disappointing series.England enter the tournament with an unbeaten 3-0 lead after the opening game and are looking to complete a 4-0 victory. India, meanwhile, is looking to avoid the whitewash and end the difficult journey on the merits.
