Published: Nov 12, 2024, 04:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 12, 2024, 04:20 PM (IST)
Though the Indian cricket team decided not to play any practice match ahead of the all important Border-Gavaskar series but he cricketers are taking part in a secret training camp in Perth, according to The West Australian.
The report revealed that the Optus Stadium in Perth is currently under lockdown and public viewing has been barred to keep the practice sessions private. Heavy restrictions have also been imposed on the staff including phone use.
The Indian team were scheduled to play a practice game against the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A side, who were already in Australia for their 2-match unofficial Test series against Australia A. However, BCCI cancelled the match following the home Test series whitewash against New Zealand, in a bid to avoid last-minute injuries.
India rather opted for a centre-wicket training with India A, implying that the first match they will play in Australia will be the Perth opener of the Border-Gavaskar series.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also explained the BCCI’s decision of cancelling the practice match against India A ahead of the Australia Tests.
“Look, you know, rather than practice match, we planned a very match simulation kind of a thing with India A. I think sometimes when you play that practice match, we’re travelling with a squad of 19 players and it was only three days that were allotted to us. And I don’t know how much workload we can get done in those three days in terms of getting everyone prepared,” Rohit said.
“So we, as a management as well, we feel that rather than having that, the match simulation where the batters can spend more time in the middle, batting in the middle, and then the bowlers as well can bowl a lot of balls, so that is something that, we as a team feel more comfortable doing rather than playing a practice game because game time is not a problem. All of us have been playing a lot of cricket. So it’s just about spending time in the middle,” Rohit added.
