The year 2018 has been really tough for the Indian cricket team as far as the overseas Tests are concerned. Two back-to-back series losses in foreign conditions have questioned India’s potential in red-ball cricket while the team management cited the lack of practice games as one of the reasons for their failure.
After losing 1-2 to the Proteas and 1-4 to England, India’s next overseas mission will begin in Australia at the end of the year. However, just like the England tour, it seems difficult to conduct a practice game ahead of the Tests against the Aussies which is starting from December 6.
Hence, as an alternative arrangement, it has been learned that a few India’s Test batsmen will be sent to New Zealand as a part of the India ‘A’ side ahead of the Australia series. That will not only give them some desired practice in similar conditions but also get some valuable advice from the ‘A’ team coach Rahul Dravid.
According to several media reports, the team management earlier thought that limited overs games were good enough to prepare for the test series in England. But it didn’t help. Now the New Zealand A tour will be in similar conditions to Australia and Rahul Dravid is more than willing to allow Test regulars space in the India A playing eleven to give them practice time.
Despite losing crucial overseas rubbers terribly, the team management has been stressing on the fact that the side has made improvements. However, the cricketing authorities have probably taken an important lesson and would look forward to a better preparation ahead of facing the kangaroos on their own backyard.