Indian Cricket team intra squad practice match at WACA, Day 2 | India Team Practice Match Scorecard

India’s intra-squad warm-up simulation at Perth’s WACA ground has provided crucial insights into the team’s form and fitness ahead of the Test series against Australia. On Day 2 of the simulation, Ruturaj Gaikwad emerged as the standout batter, showcasing exceptional technique and adaptability on a difficult surface.

With key players like Rohit Sharma set to miss the first Test and injury concerns surrounding KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, Gaikwad’s form has bolstered his case as a potential top-order inclusion.

Scoreboard Highlights: (The scorecard is based on spectator observations and sources, as no official updates were provided during the closed-door simulation)

Batting Highlights:

• Ruturaj Gaikwad: 48 (67 balls, 4 sixes) – Commanding knock, including two sixes off Ashwin.
• Sarfaraz Khan: 28 (36 balls, 1 four) – Brief but impactful counter-attacking cameo.
• Devdutt Padikkal: 12 (25 balls) – Trapped lbw by Bumrah.

Bowling Highlights:

• Jasprit Bumrah: 1 wicket – Dismissed Padikkal with a sharp inswinger.
• Mohammed Siraj: 2 wickets – Fiery spell troubling right-handed batters.
• Harshit Rana: 2 wickets – Consistent use of the short-ball tactic.
• Akash Deep: 1 wicket – Applied Bouncers, short-ball strategy
• Mukesh Kumar: 1 wicket – Maintained discipline and accuracy, troubling all batters.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Commanding Knock

Ruturaj Gaikwad displayed tremendous composure across both days of the practice match. Batting against a potent attack comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar, Gaikwad stood out with his ability to handle both pace and spin effectively.

Counter-Attacking Brilliance: Gaikwad struck four sixes during his innings—two off Ravichandran Ashwin, one off Washington Sundar, and a stunning hook shot off Harshit Rana. His sixes against Ashwin displayed finesse and confidence, while his ability to hook Rana highlighted his readiness to face short-pitched bowling.

Building an Innings: Gaikwad batted for over an hour, leaving deliveries outside off-stump with precision and attacking loose balls decisively. His balance between caution and aggression made him the most impressive batter in the simulation.

Case for Selection: If Rohit Sharma absent, Rahul’s recent injury, and If Gill ruled out of the first Test due to a finger injury, Gaikwad’s adaptability against the WACA’s testing conditions strengthens his case for inclusion in the Sqaud

Bumrah Leads the Bowling Unit

Jasprit Bumrah once again underlined his importance, leading the bowling unit with precision and strategy. The day began with a team meeting led by Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling performance.

Bumrah’s Breakthrough: Bumrah struck early, trapping Devdutt Padikkal lbw with a sharp inswinger, showcasing his mastery with the new ball.

Siraj’s Fiery Spell: Mohammed Siraj delivered an exceptional spell, removing two right-handed batters with pace and movement, further complicating the batters’ task on a challenging pitch.

Support from Young Bowlers: Harshit Rana, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep also bowled wicket-taking spells, exploiting the conditions effectively. Rana’s short-ball tactic earned praise, and he troubled several batters, including Gaikwad.

Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed with some tidy overs of spin, showcasing their versatility on a pitch favoring pace. Ashwin, with his experience and guile, tested the batters with sharp turn and subtle variations, keeping them on their toes. Jadeja, known for his accuracy, maintained a consistent line and length, making scoring difficult and building pressure. Yashasvi Jaiswal, typically a specialist batter, stepped in to bowl a few overs of part-time spin, demonstrating his all-round potential and providing the team with additional options. Their combined effort added variety to the attack and gave the batters valuable practice against spin in challenging conditions

Sarfaraz Khan’s Flourish

Amid the dominance of the bowlers, Sarfaraz Khan provided a brief but entertaining cameo. He played a few lofted shots, including a boundary through the slip cordon, and showed glimpses of his ability to counter-attack under pressure.

Positive Update on KL Rahul

The morning of November 17 brought encouraging news for India as KL Rahul returned to the nets. After suffering a blow to his elbow on November 15, Rahul appeared untroubled during his batting session at the WACA nets. His recovery provides a much-needed boost to India’s top-order options as the first Test approaches.

India’s intra-squad simulation has underscored the challenges of batting on the WACA pitch, with several dismissals coming from edges behind the stumps. While the bowlers have dominated, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s performance stands out as a beacon of hope for the batting unit.

Gautam Gambhir's involvement as a mentor and strategist has brought a sharp tactical edge to India’s preparation for the Australia series. His deep understanding of the game, honed during his illustrious career, has been evident in his interactions with the players during team meetings and practice sessions. Gambhir has focused on building mental resilience, encouraging players to adapt quickly to Australian conditions, particularly the challenges of pace and bounce.

Alongside him, Morne Morkel, as the bowling coach, has been instrumental in shaping the fast-bowling unit. Morkel’s expertise, drawn from years of success on Australian pitches, has been crucial in fine-tuning the Indian pacers’ techniques. He has emphasized maintaining consistent lengths, exploiting lateral movement, and perfecting the short-ball ploy key elements for success on bouncy tracks. The synergy between Gambhir's tactical insights and Morkel's technical inputs is not only sharpening the bowling attack but also instilling a sense of confidence and purpose in the team. This collaborative effort aims to ensure India’s pace unit can thrive in Australia, where a well-executed pace strategy often dictates match outcomes.

With no match simulation scheduled for November 17, the team will focus on middle practice and honing their techniques against short-pitched bowling. The first Test, starting on November 22, will demand resilience and adaptability, and India will look to finalize their lineup in the coming days.