India’s preparations for the much-anticipated five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia will feature a unique twist, as the team will engage in an internal warm-up game against the touring India ‘A’ side. In what seems to be a matter of strategic planning, the Indian cricket team has chosen this internal contest over a traditional warm-up match with a local side. Scheduled from November 15 to 17, this game will unfold at the renowned Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) Ground in Perth. The first official Test of the series will be held at the new Perth Stadium starting November 22, setting the stage for an intense cricketing battle between the two cricketing powerhouses.
The India ‘A’ squad will already have a head start on acclimatizing to Australian conditions, having arrived weeks prior for a two-match series against Australia ‘A’. These preparatory games are crucial as they allow emerging players and returning Test regulars to get used to the Australian pitches and weather. The first of these matches is slated to take place at the Great Barrier Reef Arena from October 31 to November 3, with the second match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7 to 10.
A keen eye will be on Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is tipped to lead the India ‘A’ team. The squad for India ‘A’ is yet to be announced, with Indian selectors expected to reveal the line-up imminently. Meanwhile, the Australian side hasn’t remained idle. Chief selector George Bailey is due to announce the names for the Australia ‘A’ team on Monday, October 14, during a media session set to start at 2 pm AEST. This announcement may also shed light on the fitness of Cameron Green, who has been grappling with a back injury that could jeopardize his participation in the Test series.
The absence of an official warm-up match for the Indian senior team has raised eyebrows, but officials from Cricket Australia have been quick to point out the declining trend of such matches.
. An official spokesperson expressed that the practice of conducting warm-up matches has seen a decline globally. He cited the last Australian tour to India in February-March 2023, where the visiting team steered away from warm-up fixtures before the four-Test series. “It’s an internal game, so it’s entirely India’s prerogative on how they plan to use it. Some Test players might get a chance in the India ‘A’ games, but it’s up to BCCI to decide. The global trend has shifted away from warm-up games, and Australia too didn’t play any before their last series in India,” the spokesperson elaborated.
Peter Roach, the head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling at Cricket Australia, highlighted the significant cricketing action awaiting fans. Announced in May, the 2024-25 season’s high point is the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series—this being the first time in over three decades that the nations are engaging in a five-Test face-off. Roach also emphasized how the Australia ‘A’ and India ‘A’ matches serve as a precursor to the main contests. “Hosting these ‘A’ matches at such prestigious venues like the upgraded Great Barrier Reef Arena and the MCG helps elevate their status and offers players an excellent platform to make a case for advancement to the senior level,” Roach noted.
The run-up to the Test matches is a source of significant excitement as players from both sides will look to claim their places for one of the most prestigious cricketing contests. Following the opening Test in Perth, the series will move to Adelaide (December 6-10), Brisbane (December 14-18), Melbourne (December 26-30), and conclude in Sydney (January 3-7). The stage is thus set for a compelling cricket extravaganza, as teams square off not just against their rivals but also against the challenging conditions presented by these diverse Australian venues. As both India and Australia assemble their forces, the upcoming series promises to be a captivating chapter in cricket history.