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Team India is gearing up for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, set to kick off with the first Test in Perth on November 22, 2024. With a challenging five-match series ahead, the Indian team is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring their readiness for the high-stakes competition. One of the key elements of their preparation will be a series of intra-squad matches against India A, which will help the squad get accustomed to Australian conditions and sharpen their skills before the official Test matches.
The decision to organize intra-squad games against India A highlights the importance of intense match simulation ahead of overseas tours. The team is scheduled to leave for Australia at least two weeks before the opening Test to acclimatize to the conditions. These practice matches, slated to take place between November 15-17 at the WACA in Perth, will give the players valuable match time. The concept of intra-squad matches has grown in popularity, as it not only provides a controlled environment for preparation but also allows the coaching staff to assess form and fitness while fine-tuning team strategies.
In the lead-up to the first Test, India’s approach will mirror previous successful tours, such as their 2021 trip to South Africa, where a similar practice method was implemented. The team will once again pit its first-choice players against emerging talents from India A, ensuring that both seasoned and young players gain valuable experience. This format enables players knocking on the door for selection to challenge the established stars, thereby adding an extra layer of competition and sharpening the squad’s overall quality. The BCCI has emphasized that the current system of using intra-squad games over traditional warm-up matches provides better outcomes as it allows players to play in a high-pressure environment, closely mirroring real Test match conditions.
India’s last Test assignment before this tour is against New Zealand at home, which will conclude on November 5. Shortly after this series, the Test squad is expected to leave for Australia from Mumbai. The timing of the intra-squad games is crucial as it bridges the gap between their last Test match and the opening encounter against Australia, ensuring that players remain in peak condition.
Additionally, the Indian team will also have a unique preparation opportunity before the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, scheduled for December 6-10. The team will engage in a day-night practice game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. This specific match is intended to familiarize the players with the pink ball under lights, a scenario that poses different challenges compared to traditional red-ball Tests. Day-night matches are notoriously difficult, especially in foreign conditions, and this game will provide vital practice ahead of the second Test.
This tour will also see India playing in some of Australia’s most iconic venues, including Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, as the Test series progresses. Each of these venues presents different challenges, from the fast and bouncy pitches of Perth and Brisbane to the more spin-friendly conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Playing intra-squad matches will help the team simulate these varying conditions and allow the management to experiment with player combinations and strategies before each Test.
India A, meanwhile, will also play two first-class games in Australia in the lead-up to the series, providing even more opportunities for players to push their case for selection. The A team’s performances will be watched closely, as standout players could be called upon to bolster the senior squad if needed during the course of the series.
The decision to emphasize intra-squad games as part of the preparation process is rooted in the desire to maximize quality practice time, especially considering the unique challenges posed by international tours. In the past, host countries have often been reluctant to provide their best domestic players for touring sides’ practice matches. As a result, intra-squad games have become a preferred method of ensuring that players face competitive and high-quality opposition during their preparation phase.
With the high expectations surrounding India’s upcoming series in Australia, these well-structured and competitive practice matches will undoubtedly be crucial to the team’s success.