BCCI cancels intra-squad clash between India and India A ahead of Border-Gavaskar series - Reports
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have decided to scrap the originally planned warm-up intra-squad contest between the senior team and the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A. The clash was scheduled to begin from November 15 onwards in Perth to help Rohit Sharma and company prepare for the ensuing Border-Gavaskar series.
India A are currently Down Under for two unofficial Tests against Australia A. The shadow tour commenced in Mackay where India A were bowled out for 107 runs in the first innings of the first match. On Day 2, they have made amends by scoring 146-2 in the second innings so far, with both Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal registering fifties.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the team management prefer training sessions and conducting match simulation scenarios using the WACA's centre wicket over a three-day contest. As a result, India will be heading into the five-match series without an official warm-up clash as they have not opted for any first-class games against an Australian domestic side as well.
The last time around, India had played a full-fledged three-day warm-up clash against Australia A, a drawn fixture widely remembered for Bumrah's fifty and Pant's quickfire ton. In the tour preceding that as well, India played a warm-up encounter against Cricket Australia XI.
The Border-Gavaskar series is scheduled to begin from November 22 onwards at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Team India have already named their squad for the series, and will reach Australia after the ongoing Test series against New Zealand comes to an end on November 5 in Mumbai.
"Similar conditions to what you're going to get at Optus Stadium" - Steve Smith on preparing for India series at WACA
The Australian first-team players commenced their preparation with a round of Sheffield Shield matches for their respective state sides. Much like India, the Men in Yellow will also have a shot at practicing on the centre wickets at the WACA ahead of the series opener.
"Going to be some good centre wickets with our boys bowling in Perth, in similar conditions to what you're going to get at Optus Stadium. [It's] probably going to be enough," Smith recently told ESPNcricinfo.
India did not play a Test in Perth during their last tour of Australia. Their sole contest at the Optus Stadium came during the 2018-19 tour, where they suffered a 146-run loss on a green top.