After a month-long break, India’s Test specialists went into the SA vs IND 1st Test with just a three-day intra-squad practice match. With Rohit Sharma & Co losing within three days, Sunil Gavaskar is not happy with the team and BCCI. He believes the team should have asked BCCI for a practice match against the South Africa A team or the domestic champions. And BCCI should have spoken to Cricket South Africa about scheduling that match instead of an intra-squad practice match.
“When you play against the local domestic teams, the players there would be motivated to impress their selectors and will play with their full strength which can provide a good preparation,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
India captain Rohit Sharma said the team does not want to play a tour game of practice match as the quality of the opponent is often low. At times, the host boards deliberately schedule tour games against weaker opponents. And hence, Team India have opted for intra-squad practice matches instead. But Sunil Gavaskar has a different view.
“There should be a norm where they speak to the host board on having their domestic champion or A team for a practice match. No point of playing an intra-squad match. It is better to stay at home and then come to play rather then playing an intra-squad match because fast bowlers will not give their 100% to avoid injuries,” Sunil Gavaskar added.
After the crushing defeat, India will have a two-day break before heading to Newlands, Cape Town for the second and final Test starting Jan 3.
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