India Looks to Finalize Batting Line-Up Ahead of Day-Night Test Against Australia

India will focus on solidifying their batting combinations when they face the Australia Prime Minister’s XI in a two-day practice match at Manuka Oval starting Saturday. This game is crucial as India prepares for the upcoming day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide, scheduled to begin on December 6.

India’s experience with the pink ball is limited, with only four day-night Tests played so far, and their sole loss coming at Adelaide four years ago, where they were bowled out for just 36 runs in a memorable collapse. The pink ball behaves differently compared to the red ball, particularly during the twilight period, making it essential for India’s batters to get accustomed to its swing and movement in the middle.

Fresh from their dominant victory in the opening Test in Perth, India is in high spirits. However, the return of Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his second child, and the expected availability of a fit-again Shubman Gill will likely result in a rejig of the batting order.

With Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal designated as openers, the success of Jaiswal and KL Rahul at the top in Perth raises the possibility of Rohit dropping down the order. If that happens, Gill’s position will also need adjustment, which the team will aim to clarify during this practice game.

Given the two-day nature of the match, India’s focus will be on spending more time at the crease, with players like Sarfaraz Khan hoping to get some match exposure, even though he is unlikely to be considered for the Test squad unless there’s an injury.

India had their first net session on Friday, with Shubman Gill taking guard, signaling that his recovery is on track. While the Indian team has traditionally been cautious about tour games due to their lack of competitiveness, this match offers them an opportunity to face Test-quality bowlers like Matt Renshaw and Scott Boland.

The PM’s XI, led by all-rounder Jack Edwards, will feature several rising Australian stars, including U-19 players like Charlie Anderson, Aidan O’Connor, and Sam Konstas, as well as fast bowler Hanno Jacobs.

India will be hoping for some solid practice as they prepare for the day-night Test series against Australia, with the squad looking to finalize their strategies and selections ahead of the big match in Adelaide.

Match Details:

• India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
• PM’s XI Squad: Jack Edwards (C), Charlie Anderson, Mahli Beardman, Scott Boland, Jack Clayton, Aidan O’Connor, Ollie Davies, Jayden Goodwin, Sam Harper, Hanno Jacobs, Sam Konstas, Lloyd Pope, Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan.
• Match Start Time: 9:10 AM IST.