It was on November 25 when India scripted a gigantic 295-run win over Australia to kickstart the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). These five days seem like an eternity, and we were devoided of more cricketing action when Day 1 of India’s practice game against the Prime Minister’s XI was called off due to persistent rain. But now, to offer some match practice to the visitors, Australia have reduced the second (and also the last) day of the game to a 50-over per-side affair.
Good news for Rohit Sharma & co.?
Well, this is a great news for India, who would be deseparate to hunt at the Manuka Oval, Canberra. Yes, they have clinched the Perth hurdle, but there is no stopping now. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, especially, need game time under their belts. While Rohit missed the first game due to paternity leave, Gill was forced to sit out due to an injury.
With the game reduced to 50 overs, there would be a chance for the Indian bowlers to mark their run-ups too. The likes of Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal would all be gunning to leave their marks. Notably, the game is scheduled to start at 9:10 AM IST, the same time Day 1 was scheduled. While this may be a 50-over affair, it will be played with the pink ball. After all, India’s main aim is to get ready for the action at the Adelaide Oval. Australia will look to even the odds when they host India in the series’ only day-night Test from December 6 to December 10.
Prime Minister’s XI vs India
Jack Edwards(c), Matt Renshaw, Jack Clayton, Oliver Davies, Jayden Goodwin, Sam Harper(w), Charlie Anderson, Sam Konstas, Scott Boland, Lloyd Pope, Hanno Jacobs, Mahli Beardman, Aidan O Connor, Jem Ryan