India are set to play just one warm-up fixture in the lead-up to the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy. That will also be an internal encounter as they will face India ‘A’ in a three-day fixture. The game will be played at the WACA in Perth from November 15th to 17th.
This will be the only warm-up match that the Rohit Sharma-led side will play before the five-match Test series which starts on the 22nd of November at the New Perth Stadium. India have opted against warm-up games on tours in the last few years because of the lack of quality in such fixtures. Hence, they’ve often opted to play intra-squad matches.
A Cricket Australia (CA) official also confirmed the same. He cited the example of Australia’s tour of India in early 2023 when the Pat Cummins-led side also did not have any practice match before the Test series.
“It’s (an) internal (match), so up to India how they use the game. Maybe some of the Test players may play in the India A games but again up to the BCCI. Not many countries seem to play warm-up games these days. Australia didn’t play any before the last series in India,” a CA official was quoted saying.
India ‘A’ will already be in Australia for the two-match Test series against Australia ‘A’. Their tour will kickstart on the 30th of October at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in MacKay. The second game is scheduled to start on the 7th of November at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Ruturaj Gaikwad likely to lead India ‘A’
Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to lead the India ‘A’ team for the two-match series against Australia ‘A’ and the following internal game against the touring Indian team. India ‘A’ are yet to announce their squad but it is likely to include a few Test regulars as well. They might get some vital game time in Australia before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia ‘A’ have already announced their squad for the series, with Nathan McSweeney named as the captain. The 17-member side also comprises of a few names who have already featured in international cricket like Scott Boland, Todd Murphy, Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Michael Neser and Josh Philippe.
Australia’s latest batting sensation Sam Konstas who recently smashed twin tons in the first Sheffield Shield 2024-25 round has also found himself in the squad. He may well be competing for the opening slot in the Australian team alongside experienced guys like Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft.
Australia ‘A’ Squad: Nathan McSweeney (c), Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Ollie Davies, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Josh Philippe (wk), Scott Boland, Cooper Connolly, Beau Webster, Michael Neser, Jordan Buckingham, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Corey Rocchiccioli, Mark Steketee.
