India Team Practice Match Highlights - Day 3 | Indian Cricket team intra squad practice match at WACA, Perth ahead of BGT 2024-25

Day 3 of India’s WACA Warm-Up: Adapting, Assessing, and Preparing

The Indian cricket team wrapped up Day 3 of their intra-squad practice match simulation at Perth’s WACA ground with encouraging signs of progress. The session, designed to simulate real-match scenarios, focused on helping players both experienced and younger adapt to Australian conditions while fine-tuning their skills and strategies ahead of the crucial Test series beginning on November 22.

Highlights from Day 3

• Players adapted better to conditions during their second opportunities at the crease.
• Bowlers focused on building workloads, with several completing spells of 15–18 overs.
• Mohammed Siraj was singled out for his strong mindset and leadership on the tour.
• Ashwin and Jadeja provided important spin overs, testing batters on a pace-friendly track.
• Team India enjoyed downtime in Perth while strategizing for the series opener.

Players Adapt and Improve

The warm-up match emphasized preparation for challenging Test match conditions, with players getting a second opportunity to bat and bowl in familiarized settings. Abhishek Nayar reflected on the team's progress, noting that players showed significant improvement in their understanding of the conditions during this session.

Morne Morkel, India’s bowling coach, stressed the importance of acclimatization. “The objective was to allow players to spend ample time in the middle and adapt to the demands of Test cricket in Australia, a place that poses unique challenges,” Morkel stated.

The young and experienced players alike were seen making tactical adjustments, particularly in shot selection, while the bowlers experimented with lengths and angles to maximize effectiveness on the bouncy WACA surface.

Bowlers Build Workloads

A major highlight of Day 3 was the focus on workload management for bowlers. Spells of 15 to 18 overs were bowled by several players, helping build endurance and refine their approach for the upcoming Test series.

Mohammed Siraj: Recognized as a standout performer, Siraj drew praise for his ability to adapt to conditions while maintaining an aggressive mindset. Morkel lauded Siraj’s leadership, recalling his past contributions in tough matches and expressing confidence in his ability to lead the pace attack during this tour.

Harshit Rana and Mukesh Kumar: Continued to impress with their consistency and discipline, targeting key areas to trouble batters.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja: Contributed with sharp spells of spin, using the surface to test the batters’ footwork and timing.

Strategic Discussions and Preparation

The Indian team management expressed satisfaction with the overall performance and condition assessment of the players. With three training sessions remaining before the first Test, the focus has now shifted to strategizing and preparing players for the challenges ahead. Discussions with coaching staff, including Morkel and Gambhir, highlighted the importance of building game-specific plans and ensuring all players are in top shape for the series opener.

Abhishek Nayar emphasized the importance of these warm-ups, stating, “We had a clear objective before arriving in Australia—to simulate match scenarios and give players the chance to adapt. The second opportunities have been crucial in building confidence and understanding the demands of Test cricket.”

Leadership and Camaraderie Shine

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have stepped up as leaders in the bowling unit, guiding younger bowlers and setting high standards. Meanwhile, off the field, camaraderie among players has been evident. A light-hearted moment between KL Rahul and Morne Morkel about visiting the beach during downtime reflected the team’s relaxed but focused mindset.

The Indian cricket team is on track for the 1st Test against Australia, with the coaching staff expressing confidence in the team’s preparation. The final training sessions at the WACA will be pivotal as the players refine their skills and finalize strategies for the much-anticipated clash starting November 22. With players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj making strong cases for key roles, and the team’s focus on adapting to conditions, India is gearing up to put their best foot forward in Australia.