“A bit surprised…”: Anil Kumble questions Indian team’s preparation for Border-Gavaskar series

The Indian bowling great wasn't quite impressed with BCCI's decision of scrapping the practice game between India and India A before the start of the 5-match series against Australia

Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble was left ‘surprised’ by BCCI’s decision of cancel the practice match which was scheduled to be played before the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Perth starting from November 22.

The Indian cricket team was going to play a practice match against India A but following the Test series whitewash against New Zealand, however the BCCI decided to scrap the encounter.

Kumble believes that the practice match could have been ideal preparation for Rohit Sharma’s side and added that such match practice cannot be achieved with just net sessions.

“I’m a bit surprised that India don’t have a practice match going into the first Test because that would have been an ideal preparation. No matter how much you practice in the nets, going out in the middle and facing a few bowlers in the match is totally different,” Kumble said.

The Indian team have to perform incredibly well against Australia to make it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. They cannot afford to lose even a single game and would have to beat Australia in 4 matches out of 5, which currently looks nothing short of an impossible task.

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