Ahead of India's five-match Test series against Australia, Rohit Sharma & Co. are looking at an unconventional approach for preparation. It is being learnt that instead of a warm-up game, the Men in Blue will be playing an 'internal' match. India will take on India A in a three-day game ahead of the first Test match in Perth, claims a report carried by Cricbuzz.
While India will be led by Rohit Sharma, the India A side could be captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The rare matchup is reportedly scheduled from November 15 to 17 at the WACA in Perth and is likely to serve as a key preparation step before the series opener at the the Perth Stadium from November 22.
"It's (an) internal (match), so up to India how they use the game. Maybe some of the Test players may play in the India A games but again up to the BCCI. Not many countries seem to play warm up games these days. Australia didn't play any before the last series in India," a Cricket Australia (CA) official said as quoted in a report carried by Cricbuzz.
India A To Be In Australia Well Ahead Of 'Internal Game' Against India
Notably, the India A side will be in Australia well ahead of this match. India A are set to play Australia A in a two-match Test series which will give yoing India players the chance to experience playing red-ball cricket in Australian conditions. These two tests will scheduled at the Great Barrier Reef Arena and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
As far as the senior Indian men's team is concerned, they would be eyeing a hat-trick of series wins in Australia having emerged victorious in the last two Test series against Australia Down Under. India won both the previous two Test series 2-1 but this will be the first time in over 30 years that the teams will compete in a five-match series.