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India’s preparations for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia have received a significant boost with a two-day pink-ball practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI. This encounter, scheduled for November 30 and December 1, will be held at the Manuka Oval in Canberra and will provide the Indian team with valuable experience under lights, crucial for their forthcoming day-night Test in Adelaide.
Context and Significance
India enters this warm-up game with confidence after a dominant 295-run victory in the first Test against Australia. However, the upcoming day-night Test presents unique challenges, particularly given India’s limited exposure to pink-ball cricket. This practice match offers the visitors an opportunity to fine-tune their skills in the evening conditions and adjust to the pink ball’s dynamics.
For the Prime Minister’s XI, captained by Jack Edwards, the game is an opportunity to test themselves against a world-class side. The hosts have assembled a squad featuring emerging Australian talents, including Matthew Renshaw, Scott Boland, and Lloyd Pope, making it an exciting contest for cricket enthusiasts.
Match Details
Date and Timing
- November 30 (Saturday) and December 1 (Sunday)
- Match begins at 9:10 AM IST
Venue
- Manuka Oval, Canberra
Live Streaming and Broadcast
- Broadcast: Star Sports Network in India
- Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar app and website
- Live Scores: SportsTiger app and website
Squads
India
- KL Rahul
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Dhruv Jurel
- Nitish Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Harshit Rana
- Jasprit Bumrah (c)
- Mohammed Siraj
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Akash Deep
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Prasidh Krishna
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
Prime Minister’s XI
- Jack Edwards (c)
- Charlie Anderson
- Mahli Beardman
- Scott Boland
- Jack Clayton
- Aidan O’Connor
- Ollie Davies
- Jayden Goodwin
- Sam Harper
- Hanno Jacobs
- Sam Konstas
- Lloyd Pope
- Matthew Renshaw
- Jem Ryan
Key Points to Watch
- India’s Batting Line-Up: Players like Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, and young talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal will aim to adapt to the pink ball’s behavior under lights, focusing on tackling swing and bounce.
- Bowling Combinations: Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, will test different strategies for the twilight period, a crucial phase in pink-ball Tests. Spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will also look to exploit any turn-on offer.
- Prime Minister’s XI Talents: With experienced campaigners like Scott Boland and promising youngsters, the PM XI will aim to put India under pressure, especially in evening conditions.
- Preparation for Adelaide: This match is India’s chance to address potential vulnerabilities and strengthen their gameplay, ensuring they enter the second Test with confidence.
India’s Pink-Ball History
India last played a day-night Test in March 2022 against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, showcasing their ability to dominate in the format. However, with only a few pink-ball matches under their belt, this warm-up game is pivotal to further enhancing their skills and strategies.
Conclusion
The two-day practice match between India and the Prime Minister’s XI is more than just a warm-up—it’s a critical step in India’s journey to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As both teams gear up for this unique encounter, fans can expect a competitive and entertaining match at the Manuka Oval. With high stakes and pink-ball cricket under the spotlight, this match will set the tone for the much-anticipated day-night Test in Adelaide.
