The Indian cricket team is set to face the Australian Prime Minister’s XI in a two-day pink-ball practice match at Manuka Oval, Canberra. This match, scheduled for November 30 and December 1, is a key part of India’s preparation for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which will be a day-night Test in Adelaide starting December 6.
Why This Warm-Up Match Matters
The pink-ball practice match is critical for the Indian team, especially as they look to adapt to the unique challenges of a day-night Test. The last time India played a pink-ball Test in Australia, they were bundled out for their lowest-ever Test score of 36 runs in Adelaide during the 2020-21 series. This match offers the Indian players a chance to fine-tune their skills and gain much-needed matchtime under lights.
Captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test due to personal reasons, will return to lead the side. This match will provide him with valuable practice ahead of the crucial Test.
India’s History with Pink-Ball Tests
India has a mixed record with pink-ball Tests:
- Played: 4
- Won: 3
- Lost: 1
Their previous pink-ball Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru was a dominant victory, showcasing their ability to perform in this format. However, playing in Australian conditions under lights remains a significant challenge.
India vs PM XI Practice Match Details
| Fixture | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | November 30 – December 1, 2024 |
| Time | 9:30 AM IST / 3:40 AM GMT / 2:40 PM AEDT |
| Venue | Manuka Oval, Canberra |
| Format | Two-Day Pink-Ball Practice Match |
| Live Streaming | Disney+ Hotstar |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
Squads for the Practice Match
Prime Minister’s XI Squad
- Captain: Jack Edwards
- Scott Boland
- Matthew Renshaw
- Ollie Davies
- Sam Konstas
- Lloyd Pope
- Charlie Anderson
- Mahli Beardman
- Jack Clayton
- Aidan O’Connor
- Jayden Goodwin
- Sam Harper
- Hanno Jacobs
- Jem Ryan
India Squad
- Captain: Rohit Sharma
- Vice-Captain: Jasprit Bumrah
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammed Siraj
- Washington Sundar
- Prasidh Krishna
- Harshit Rana
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Dhruv Jurel
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Akash Deep
Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal
See Also:- IND vs AUS Test Series Head-to-Head
What to Watch Out For
Key Players to Keep an Eye On
- Scott Boland:
The Australian pacer, already in the Test squad, will lead the PM XI bowling attack. His performance in the warm-up could cement his place in the Adelaide Test XI. - Matthew Renshaw:
A seasoned batter, Renshaw’s past performances against India, including his contributions in the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, make him a player to watch. - Rohit Sharma:
Returning to action, Rohit will aim to regain form and set the tone for India’s batting lineup.
Read Also: Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024 Schedule
Significance of the Match
This match provides a stage for fringe players from both teams to make an impression. For India, it’s an opportunity to test their bench strength and prepare for the challenges of pink-ball cricket in Australian conditions.
The practice match will also be closely watched by fans and analysts, especially given India’s mixed history in day-night Tests and the pressure to maintain their 1-0 lead in the series.
Stay tuned for this exciting warm-up match as India and the Prime Minister’s XI gear up for what promises to be a thrilling clash at the Manuka Oval, Canberra!
