Get ready for a cricket showdown that’s unlike any other. Team India is set to take on their very own ‘A’ team as part of their preparations for the upcoming tour of Australia. BCCI is leaving no stone unturned to see the Men in Blue get a hat-trick of Test series wins Down Under.
Perfect prep for BGT!
As per PTI, the Rohit Sharma-led team will be flying to Australia two weeks before their commencement of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). The opening Test in Perth will start on November 22, meaning that the Men in Blue will reach Australia anywhere between November 8-10.
Coincidentally, India ‘A’ and Australia ‘A’ will already be competing in a two first-class matches series. The opening four-day match between them will be played in Mackay (October 31-November 3). Meanwhile, the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the second clash, from November 7-10.
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As per reports, the senior team will be locking horns in an intra-squad match against India A from November 15-17. For Rohit and company, this match is a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their skills and identify any areas where they need to improve before the all-important BGT showdown!
Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | November 22 – November 26 | Perth |
| 2nd Test | December 6 – December 10 | Adelaide |
| 3rd Test | December 14 – December 18 | Brisbane |
| 4th Test | December 26 – December 30 | Melbourne |
| 5th Test | January 3 – January 7 | Sydney |
Pink ball readiness!
The Indian cricket team first tried out intra-squad matches with proper uniforms and umpires during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, right before the World Test Championship final, which they ultimately lost against New Zealand. In 2023-24, both the main Indian team and the India ‘A’ team were in South Africa at the same time. Before the main team’s first Test match, the India ‘A’ team played a practice match.
A BCCI official said that it’s usually difficult for home countries to provide their best domestic players for practice matches. They believe that it’s more beneficial for India’s up-and-coming players to face off against the established stars. Before the second Test in Adelaide, which will be played with a pink ball, the Indian team will play a two-day day/night match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra to prepare.
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