 "Virat Kohli from practice session at home during Test series vs New Zealand. Image: AP")
Team India is being extra careful about their preparations for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy which starts on 22 November in Perth. So much so that their intra-squad warm-up match will be played behind closed doors. As per a report in The West Australian, the Indian team will play an intra-squad warm-up match from Friday at the WACA but it will not be open to the public. Normally nets at WACA are open to the public.
Team India’s nets covered with black tarps
The WACA Ground Staff has also been asked not to record the warm-up match and the nets have been covered with “black tarps" to stop the general public from having a view of Team India’s training sessions.
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It has to be noted that India did something similar during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Also, earlier there was a report that Team India has cancelled their practice match and will instead be relying on match simulations.
The West Australian reports further claims that even Cricket Australia was not informed about Team India’s arrival plans in Perth as the visitors have opted to maintain secrecy around their preparation.
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Virat Kohli starts practice session in Australia
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul had nets on Tuesday but Virat Kohli skipped the first session. He did start his practice on Wednesday. the Tuesday nets was an optional session.
India captain Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, has not travelled with the team so far as his wife is expecting a second child.
“At the moment, there is no confirmation but we will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully, he’s going to be available, but everything we’re going to get to know at the start of the series,” India coach Gautam Gambhir had said before leaving for Australia.
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Things are expected to become clear in the coming days. If Rohit is unavailable then vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will captain.