A legendary spinner Anil Kumble He questioned Team India’s decision not to play any practice games before the five-match Test series against Australia.
India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship are fading after a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to New Zealand. India need to win this series 4-0 to reach the final for the third time in a row.
With a place in the WTC finals at stake, not many expected Team India to enter the series without playing any practice games. However, Capt Rohit Sharma confirmed that the team will not play any practice matches in the run-up to the important series. Team India was scheduled to face India A in Perth before the series, but the game will no longer take place.
Also read: Pujara, Rahane, Sunil Gavaskar recalled, attack India for England-like reckless batting in Tests
Anil Kumble on India’s decision:
The decision to call off the game surprised many, including Anil Kumble. The former Indian captain and head coach said that the practice match would be an ideal preparation for the team. Anil Kumble said that no matter how much players practice in the nets, facing a bowler in a match is a completely different situation.
“I was a bit surprised that India didn’t have a practice match in the first Test because it would have been an ideal preparation. No matter how much you practice in the nets, no matter how much you go out in the middle and face some bowlers, it’s completely different in a match,” Anil Kumble told JioCinema.
Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that the team will not play any practice games before the start of the five-match series against Australia. Speaking after the third Test against New Zealand, the veteran batsman explained the reason behind the team management’s decision to cancel the practice match.
“We’re traveling with a squad of 19 players and we’ve only got three days. I don’t know how much workload we can get in those three days in terms of getting everybody ready. The management thinks we’ll be better off because the batsmen can spend more time in the middle and the bowlers a match simulation where you can hit a lot of balls.”
Sharma and his teammates will be desperate to get back to Australia after the humiliating defeat against New Zealand. India have won the last two Test series in Australia and are eyeing an unprecedented third consecutive Test series win on Australian soil.
