India Team Practice Match Scorecard | Indian Cricket team intra squad practice match at WACA, Perth

In a challenging start to their preparations for the Test series against Australia, KL Rahul’s injury scare and the Indian batting lineup’s difficulty against the moving ball became the highlights of an intra-squad practice simulation at the WACA ground in Perth. The match provided critical insights as India’s key batters faced intense spells from their own bowlers on a surface resembling Australian Test conditions.

The session featured India’s primary XI against a mix of fringe players and India A representatives, offering valuable opportunities for both sides.

Scorecard Highlights

• KL Rahul: 18 (27 balls) – Retired hurt, struck on the elbow by Prasidh Krishna
• Yashasvi Jaiswal: 15 (35 balls, 2 fours) – Caught at second slip off Saini; 58* (72 balls, 6 fours) in second innings
• Shubman Gill: 28 (78 balls, 3 fours) – Fended to gully off Saini; 42* (95 balls, 4 fours) in second innings
• Virat Kohli: 15 (30 balls, 2 fours) – Caught at second slip off Mukesh; 30 (50 balls, 3 fours) in second innings
• Rishabh Pant: 19 (22 balls, 3 fours) – Bowled by Nitish Kumar Reddy; 24 (31 balls, 4 fours) – Bowled by Mukesh Kumar
• Ravichandran Ashwin: 5 (11 balls) – Bowled by Prasidh Krishna
• Dhruv Jurel: 20 (30 balls, 2 fours) – Caught behind off Reddy

Bowling Highlights

• Prasidh Krishna: 2-22 (8 overs) – Dismissed Rahul and Ashwin with sharp deliveries
• Mukesh Kumar: 3-30 (9 overs) – Removed Kohli and Pant twice, troubling with precision
• Navdeep Saini: 2-25 (7 overs) – Struck key blows, dismissing Jaiswal and Gill
• Nitish Kumar Reddy: 2-18 (10 overs) – Claimed Pant and Jurel with disciplined lines

Second Innings Scorecard Highlights

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: 58* (72 balls, 6 fours) – Looked comfortable against both pace and spin, played a standout ramp shot off Navdeep Saini.
• Shubman Gill: 42* (95 balls, 4 fours) – Showed improved intent and composure after a cautious start in the first innings.
• Virat Kohli: 30 (50 balls, 3 fours) – Displayed fluent backfoot strokes, including a powerful pull shot, before wrapping up his session.
• Rishabh Pant: 24 (31 balls, 4 fours) – Mixed aggression with caution but was bowled for the second time in the day by Mukesh Kumar.

The second innings provided much-needed stability, with Jaiswal and Gill anchoring the batting while Kohli found rhythm in a productive session.

India concluded the day at 339 for 8 after 75 overs in a simulation that revealed both their vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. With the WACA’s challenging surface mirroring Australian Test pitches, the Indian team will need to address their susceptibility to seam and bounce.

Rahul Retires Hurt as Jaiswal and Gill Battle Conditions

KL Rahul, opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, showed promising form early in the innings but was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the elbow by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna. Medical attention was sought immediately, and Rahul’s condition remains under observation, leaving his participation in the first Test uncertain.

Jaiswal (15), who looked comfortable against pace, started aggressively with a boundary through the covers but nicked off to second slip, exposing a vulnerability that would trouble most Indian batters throughout the day.

Shubman Gill (28), batting at No. 3, was cautious and survived two hours at the crease before falling to Navdeep Saini, fending a short-of-length delivery to gully. Gill’s second outing was more assured, where he scored an unbeaten 42 in a composed knock.

Kohli’s Classy Start Cut Short

Amid concerns over his fitness, Virat Kohli appeared in fine touch initially, stroking two beautiful cover drives. However, his innings ended on 15 when he edged Mukesh Kumar to second slip. Kohli later returned for another session, where he showcased backfoot elegance and rhythm with strokes including a powerful pull shot, ultimately finishing the day with 30 runs.

Pant and the Middle Order Struggle

Rishabh Pant, battling short-pitched deliveries, started aggressively but was bowled twice during the simulation—first by Nitish Kumar Reddy for 19 and later by Mukesh Kumar for 24. Pant tried to counter the pace by advancing down the pitch, but his strategy yielded mixed results.

Dhruv Jurel (20) and Ravichandran Ashwin (5) also fell victim to the relentless accuracy of the Indian bowlers. Jurel edged to the slips off Reddy, while Ashwin was clean-bowled by Prasidh Krishna.

Bowlers Shine at WACA:

• Prasidh Krishna: Delivered a fiery spell, claiming key scalps, including Rahul and Ashwin, with pace and bounce.
• Mukesh Kumar: Bowled with precision and claimed wickets of Kohli and Pant.
• Navdeep Saini: Troubled batters with his short-pitched deliveries, dismissing Gill and others in the slips.
• Nitish Kumar Reddy: Impressed with his control and dismissed Pant and Jurel with sharp, probing deliveries.

The practice match simulation at the WACA proved invaluable for the Indian team as they adjusted to the conditions expected in the Test series. While the bowlers showed their mettle, the batting lineup will need to focus on adapting to the bounce and seam movement. KL Rahul’s injury remains a concern, though the team is optimistic about his quick recovery.

India’s preparations will continue with more simulation matches over the weekend, giving players additional opportunities to fine-tune their skills ahead of the first Test at Optus Stadium.