India's Australia tour expanded with extra pink-ball fixture

India’s cricket team is set to get additional pink-ball practice during their upcoming tour of Australia, with a newly scheduled two-day match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. The match will take place on November 30 and December 1 at Manuka Oval, offering valuable preparation ahead of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Adelaide.

This additional fixture is scheduled between the first and second Tests, and will be played as a day-night match. The practice will be crucial for India, as the second Test in Adelaide will also be a day-night affair, played under similar conditions. The pink ball and the under-lights environment can be challenging, and this match is expected to help India adapt better.

India and Australia last faced off in a pink-ball Test during the 2020 series, where Australia secured an eight-wicket win in Adelaide. This upcoming Test in Adelaide will mark only the second time these two teams play under day-night conditions.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which will be contested over five Tests for the first time in over 30 years, is particularly important as both teams are vying for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final next year. India currently leads the World Test Championship standings, with Australia close behind in second place.

Australia will be keen to defend their title after winning the World Test Championship last year by defeating India in the final. With the next edition set to be held at Lord’s in 2025, both teams are determined to secure their place in the final through this critical series.