India’s cricket team is gearing up for an exciting tour of Australia with a two-day warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI scheduled for November 30 and December 1 at Manuka Oval in Canberra. This fixture serves as a crucial preparation for the highly anticipated Day-Night Test against Australia, which will take place from December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.
This match marks the fourth time India will face the Prime Minister’s XI, with the last encounter occurring two decades ago in 2004. On that occasion, the Indian team, led by Rahul Dravid, narrowly triumphed over a squad captained by Steve Waugh. The upcoming match is particularly significant as it will be India’s first two-day contest against this team, which has evolved into a formidable Australia-A side in recent years.Â
Preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The warm-up match will provide the Indian squad with valuable experience playing under lights with the pink Kookaburra ball, essential for acclimatizing to the conditions they will face in Adelaide. India has participated in only four day-night Tests thus far, with their last being against Sri Lanka in 2022. In contrast, Australia has played 12 pink-ball Tests, including a recent defeat to the West Indies, marking their first loss in this format.
India’s last pink-ball outing in Australia was a challenging one; they were bowled out for a mere 36 runs in the second innings during the 2020 Test in Adelaide. However, they made a remarkable comeback in the series, winning 2-1, showcasing their resilience and ability to adapt.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series Schedule
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will kick off with the first Test in Perth from November 22 to 26, followed by the day-night Test in Adelaide. Subsequent matches are scheduled in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, making this series a pivotal moment in both teams’ cricketing calendars.
In addition to this warm-up match, India will also conduct an intra-squad practice session at the WACA from November 15 to 18, ensuring the players are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. Furthermore, an India A squad will tour Australia in late October, playing two four-day matches in Mackay and Melbourne, further enhancing the team’s readiness for the series.
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