The first Test against Australia in Perth will be India’s first competitive match on the tour after the BCCI ruled out a three-day inter-squad game at the WACA.
Chasing a third consecutive Test series win in Australia, India’s tour was scheduled to begin against India A in a closed-door warm-up from November 15-17.
But the Indian hierarchy changed plans and opted for the team to train over those three days, which will include net sessions and center-wicket match simulation scenarios at the WACA.
Australia is likely to train at the WACA after India’s season on the field in what will be important preparation for some players who have had limited matches under their belt.
“There will be good central wickets with our boys bowling in Perth, in similar conditions to what you will find at Optus Stadium. [It’s] will probably be enough,” Steven Smith said recently about preparing for the middle-wicket practice Test series at the WACA.
India had initially decided on an intra-team game as the only warm-up ahead of the first Test that would begin on November 22 instead of a practice match against an Australian national team.
The inter-team match at the WACA would be played behind closed doors at the request of the Indian hierarchy. There were initially hopes that the game would be open to the public much like India’s two matches against a WA XI team ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup.
A near-capacity crowd of around 2,500 fans at the WACA, which is currently undergoing refurbishment, attended those matches with a AU$5 entry fee going to the WA Cricket Foundation.
Team India will leave for Australia soon after the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai on November 5 ends.
Coached by Ruturaj Gaikwad, India A were supposed to play the Indian Test team after their four-day matches against Australia A at Mackay and the MCG.
India A’s 15-player squad had staggered arrivals in Brisbane on October 25 and 26, with the first contingent of players facing a delay disembarking from their flight due to a sick passenger.
