Sunil Gavaskar urges Team India to play a warm-up game in Australia: 'Not necessarily for senior players'

Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar is hopeful that the team gets a few warm-up games in between the Tests in Australia. India were scheduled to play a three-day intra-squad game against India A at the WACA stadium ahead of the first Test at Perth from 22 November but it has been scrapped by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Team India has reportedly opted for a centre-wicket match simulation session in WACA instead of the warm-up fixture, but Gavaskar feels practice matches are needed to help the Indian batters adapt to the fast Australian conditions during the five-match series.

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“I really do believe that they should have a warm-up game. In the gaps between Test matches, they really should have warm-up games,” Gavaskar told The Indian Express. “Not necessarily for the senior players. But for the junior players who have never played in Australia before. For the Yashasvi Jaiswals, the Sarfaraz Khans, the Dhruv Jurels, all these young batters. Even against an Australia A team or a state side like Queensland. Juniors must be given the opportunity to get used to the bounce and pitches in Australia.”

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Rohit Sharma explains cancellation of warm-up match

India captain Rohit Sharma explained that match simulation will allow both batters and bowlers to spend more time in the middle ahead of the Test series. Team India will be leaving for Australia only on 10 November and will have little time to prepare for the high-octane Test series.

“We are travelling with a squad of 19 players and only three days were allotted to us. I don’t know how much workload we can get in those three days in terms of getting everyone prepared. The management feels that we’d rather have a match simulation where batters can spend more time in the middle and the bowlers can bowl a lot of balls. That is something that we as a team feel more comfortable doing rather than playing a practice game because game time is not a problem,” Rohit said after India's 3-0 series Test loss to New Zealand at home.

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On their last two tours, India took part in a four-day game against Cricket Australia XI before the 2018-19 series and played a three-day match against Australia A ahead of the 2020-21 series.

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Gavaskar’s advice for young Indian batters

Gavaskar also adviced young Indian batters to make use of throwdowns and ask the pacers to bowl from 20 yards to get used to the Australian fast bowling threat.

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“Just believe in yourself. Practice as much as you can. I think there is some merit in facing throwdowns. But it is more important to play regular bowling. Face the quicker bowlers. Not (Jasprit) Bumrah, of course, because Bumrah can kill you. But you can ask others to bowl from 20 yards instead of 22 yards. So therefore, the ball comes on to the bat quickly.

“And you will get used to it. That is what I would say to the batsmen. In five-day games you have to be patient and you will score runs. Australian pitches are the best pitches to bat on after the new ball is done. And nowadays, the new ball is only swinging and moving for 10-12 overs,” said Gavaskar.