India chooses 'match simulation' over practice game ahead of Australia series

Following a 3-0 series loss to New Zealand, India is now concentrating on its upcoming Test series in Australia, which will be crucial to their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final. Rohit Sharma’s side must win at least four matches in Australia to stay in contention for the WTC Final, set to take place at Lord's next year.

Originally scheduled to play a three-day practice match against India A before the first Test in Perth on November 22, the team has now opted for a "match simulation" approach. Rohit explained that this setup will allow more focused practice, enabling batters to maximize their time at the crease while giving bowlers additional workload in conditions similar to those at Optus Stadium.

"Look, you know, rather than practice match, we planned a very match simulation kind of a thing with India A," Rohit said. 

"I think sometimes when you play that practice match, we're travelling with a squad of 19 players and it was only three days that were allotted to us. And I don't know how much workload we can get done in those three days in terms of getting everyone prepared.

"So we, as a management as well, we feel that rather than having that, the match simulation where the batters can spend more time in the middle, batting in the middle, and then the bowlers as well can bowl a lot of balls, so 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. All of us have been playing a lot of cricket. So it's just about spending time in the middle.

"If a batter gets out, he has to sit in the dugout for the whole day, you know, and he doesn't get too much of batting done. Whereas in match simulation kind of a thing, you know, the batters can go out and play 50-70 balls and then if you feel that he's had enough, we can retire him out and then get someone else in. So that is the plan.

"We want to maximise this three-day slot that we've got and I feel this is the best way to do it where the batters can have a lot of time in the middle and the bowlers at the same time can get their workload in terms of getting the number of balls bowled in the middle. So that was the idea and we will be.

"I think we'll be training at WACA, which is as close to Optus (Stadium) where you have that bounce and carry. So hopefully we can use those three days perfectly and maximise how much ever we can from our point of view."

The Indian skipper, who managed only 91 runs in three matches against New Zealand, acknowledges the need for improvement, both for himself and senior player Virat Kohli, who also struggled with consistency during the series. Kohli’s highest score was 70 in the first Test, with several low scores in other innings. Rohit expressed concern over the lack of runs from key players, stating, "If the batters are not performing, that is a cause of concern. But what's done is done now. I think as a player, as a captain, as a team, we all have to look forward and see how we can correct what we didn't manage to achieve here. There is a good opportunity for us to go and do something really, really special in Australia."

The team’s training will take place at the WACA in Perth, known for its bounce and pace, to better prepare for the challenging conditions expected during the series.