India to play 2-day practice game with pink ball ahead of day-night Test during Australia tour
Cricket Australia (CA) has announced a two-day day-night practice match for Team India at the Manuka Oval ahead of the pink-ball Test later this year. The fixture scheduled from November 30-December 1 will be ahead of the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval (December 6-10).
The opportunity seems a great one, given the epic batting collapse India suffered in the day-night Test during the 2020-21 tour. The Adelaide Oval saw the tourists being bowled out for 36 in their second innings as the Aussies rammed home the advantage to win by eight wickets and take a 1-0 lead.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalled it was an honor to stand alongside his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad last year and is looking forward to Team India taking on PM's XI later this year. He was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au:
"As friends and partners, the relationship between Australia and India has never been closer. It was an absolute honour to stand alongside Prime Minister Modi at the Fourth Test in Ahmedabad last year and celebrate both our nations’ love for cricket. Over the years I’ve loved watching players like Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar so it’ll be great to see the PM’s XI face the Indian team in Canberra. I look forward to meeting with the National Selectors to discuss selection for the squad."
The five-match Australia-India series will begin on November 22 in Perth. The venues for the remaining Tests are Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
"Delighted to confirm India’s involvement in this year’s Prime Minister’s XI" - Cricket Australia chief
Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley hopes to see the Border-Gavaskar Trophy captivate the attention of the entire world.
"We’re delighted to confirm India’s involvement in this year’s Prime Minister’s XI match that emphasizes the significance of the fixture on the cricketing calendar. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series will captivate the cricketing world," he told CA's official website.
"Today’s confirmation of the Prime Minister’s XI match is a terrific result for cricket fans, particularly in the ACT and surrounding regions, and adds to an incredible summer of cricket," Hockley added.
Team India have won the last two Test series against Australia Down Under.