Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a very good fielder, has got great hands, moves well, dives and anticipates, according to Rajasthan Royals assistant coach Trevor Penney.
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The Indian cricket team stars toiled in a 3-day simulation game against India A that saw all of the top stars like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, etc. getting into action. While the first day featured a real cricketing contest, the second day had a mix of both a game and net sessions. The struggles of batters like Kohli, Gill, Pant, etc. became public as pacers ran riot in the practice game. Kohli, in fact, had to bat twice on the same day after getting dismissed for 15 on the first day. India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has explained the rationale behind the structure that was created for the simulation game at WACA.

In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on social media, Nayar explained the crux of the discussion held by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma for the practice routine. It was then the decision to give players maximum time in the middle was taken.

“Just before we came to Australia, Gauti bhai and Rohit had a discussion about what we wanted from these three days. The idea was to make sure that the experienced and younger guys got a lot of time in the center to adapt and understand the conditions. We are coming here and playing Test cricket after 4 years,” Nayar said in the BCCI video.

Kohli scored 15 and 30 not-out in the two outings he had. The initial idea was to get a game-like situation where a batter goes back if he goes out. But, Nayar revealed that the rules changed later on.

“Initially, we got the guys to come in, had it like a game, where you got out, you got out. But then we tired to give them another chance and we felt that second time around, the guys adapted better, understood the conditions better, were a lot for comfortable,” he added.

On the second day, India’s mainstream bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, etc. bowled the maximum, getting into the rhythm ahead of the Perth Test.

“Day 2 was quite similar where we were also using the facilities outside in the nets, getting the quantity and quality down in the center. Day 2 was about our bowlers coming and bowling spells, bowling 15 overs each, Boom (Bumrah) bowled 18 overs. It was about getting the guys into game sense,” he revealed.

Virat Kohli in simulation game at WACA© AFP

India vs India A practice game at WACA© X (Twitter)

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar analysed Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul’s poor showing during the second match between India A and Australia A and also offered an important advice to batters making their first tour to the country. Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting with Perth Test on November 22, KL and Easwaran got some much-needed game time in Australian conditions during the two unofficial Tests against Australia A. While Easwaran failed to touch 20-run mark in all four innings played, the experienced KL also failed to deliver, scoring 4 and 10 in the second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

This puts doubt to their participation in the first Test at Perth. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the match due to personal reasons and the race for opening spot is between these two players.

Speaking in a video by ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar said that the dismissal of India A batters is very similar to what any Indian batter would experience during their first time playing in Australia. He also added that the Indian team is heading into the tour as “underconfident” after a home series loss to New Zealand, with key players like Rohit and Virat Kohli not in form

Manjrekar also offered a word of advice, urging Indian batters to get rid of “Indian instincts” while playing and adapting to Australian conditions.

“I guess in many ways India have gone there (Australia) slightly underconfident because of what happened just prior to that tour (0-3 loss to New Zealand at home) and their main players Rohit and Virat clearly out of form,” said Manjrekar.

“The dismissal that you saw of most Indian batters was typical of an Indian batter going to Australia and a pitch that has some juice in it where instinctively they are playing in a certain manner and are surprised by the the extra bounce and that happened to all of us.”

“We went to Australia and that is why we needed time to get used to the bounce and instinctively sort of play a little higher than you would. So you have to get rid of the Indian instincts. KL and Easwaran, not a great start. So the battle between them heats up even more,” he concluded.

While Easwaran could make his international debut after 101 first-class matches, 7,674 runs and 27 centuries, KL has plenty of Australian experience by his side. Against Australia, KL has scored 618 runs in 19 innings at an average of 34.33, with a century and six fifties and best individual score of 110. However in five matches in Australia, KL’s numbers are poor, scoring 187 runs in nine innings at an average of 20.77, with a century to his name.

The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia kicks off on November 22, with the first Test at Perth.

The second Test, featuring the day-night format, will take place under lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. Fans will then turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18.

The traditional Boxing Day Test, scheduled from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne’s iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the series’ penultimate stage.

The fifth and final Test will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising an exciting climax to a highly anticipated series.

It isn’t often that we see a controversy-free series between Indian and Australian teams Down Under. On multiple occasions, Indian teams have come across some bizarre acts in Australia, especially in red-ball matches. As the India A team took on Australia A in the second unofficial Test in Melbourne, a bizarre incident took place. Australian batter Marcus Harris didn’t move despite what seemed to be a clear caught behind. As the umpire turned down the strong appeal and gave the decision in the favour of the batter, there wasn’t much the Indians could do as the DRS option wasn’t available.

Facing India A off-spinner Tanush Kotian, Harris seemed to have been caught comfortably at first slip, prompting even celebrations from the Indian team. Though the players were convinced that Kotian was out, the umpire didn’t raise his finger, leaving the touring team absolutely shattered.

The absence of DRS in the unofficial Test series left the Indians with no other option but to accept the on-field umpire’s call.

With the caught-behind chances ruled out, it was also questioned whether Harris would’ve been out LBW, if he had in fact not edged the delivery from Kotian. But, with the ball pitching outside leg, LBW was also ruled out. Later, Harris seemed to have told Kotian that the ball had hit his back leg. But, replays confirmed that the ball had hit the front pad, hence raising suspicion of whether Harris actually knew what had happened.

The close-in fielders, including KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, were confident of Harris’ dismissal earlier but looked befuddled when the decision came in the batting side’s favour. Here’s the video:

#MarcusHarris survives a huge appeal from #TanushKotian, and that decision turns the tide in Australia A’s favor!

He went on to score crucial 74 runs, putting his team in the driver’s seat!

Day 2 #AUSAvINDAOnStar | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1 & Star Sports 1 HD pic.twitter.com/tVpwFWfibP

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 8, 2024

“Externally, obviously this game was getting built up a lot, which is fair enough,” Harris sa

Marcus Harris is one of the top contenders to open for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy alonside Usman Khawaja. Harris, who hit 74 runs against India A on Friday, feels he is ready to deliver on the big stage.

“I feel like I’ve been batting well, but so have lots of people. If I get called upon, I feel like I’m ready to go — and if I don’t, then so be it,” he said.

The ongoing unofficial series between India A and Australia A was marred by a ball-tampering controversy last week. In the unofficial first Test in Mackay, the India A players had to deal with ball tampering allegations after the on-field umpires changed the ball used by them overnight. After taking three early wickets overnight, the India A players were visibly disappointed, and were seen arguing with umpire Shawn Craig, about the ball given to resume play. While India A lost the match, former Australia captain David Warner had also questioned the decision to change the ball in the morning.

On the decision to change the ball, the umpire alleged India A of altering the condition of the cherry. 

“When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play. No more discussion; let’s play. This is not a discussion,” the umpire was heard as saying on air.

However, Cricket Australia (CA) squashed all the allegations against the India A players, saying that the ‘ball was changed due to deterioration’.

In the ongoing 2nd unofficial Test, the India A players once again caught the attention for a ball-related incident.

In a viral video, the players can be seen having a chat with umpire, informing him about something on the ball.

The commentators suggested that the substance on the ball could be either mud or white paint.

Pacer Prasidh Krishna, in general, looked a bit agitated during the chat with the umpire.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran failed to leave a mark yet again as India A were reduced to 73/5 at the end of day two’s play in the second four-day game against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Previously, Australia A managed to take a 62-run lead, thanks to opener Marcus Harris making 74 in their total of 223. For India A, fast-bowler Prasidh Krishna took a four-fer while pacer Mukesh Kumar picked three wickets.

In their second innings, India A were in trouble yet again as they went from 31/1 to 56/5. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel will have to stage a rescue act for India A, who lead by 11 runs at the end of day two. Jurel is unbeaten on 19 while Nitish Kumar Reddy is nine not out.

(With ANI Inputs)

Sent to Australia, as part of the India A team, KL Rahul hasn’t done his reputation much good since arriving Down Under. Opening the batting, KL Rahul was dismissed for just 10 runs in 44 balls in the second unofficial Test in Melbourne. The batter was expected to deliver, having been dismissed for just 4 runs in 4 balls in the first innings of the same match. Up against spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, however, Rahul made an absolute mess as he directed the ball onto the stumps in a bizarre manner.

While Rahul’s form has been a concern for the Indian team for a long time, his application has also come under scrutiny. The Karnataka lad was replaced by Sarfaraz Khan in the second and the third Test against New Zealand. The BCCI selection committee then decided to send him to Australia as part of the India A series, hoping to see him regain his form.

But, the first Test only saw him accumulate 14 runs in two innings, with his latest dismissal producing a facepalm moment. It was probably the most bizarre dismissal of the year. Here’s the video:

“Don’t know what he was thinking!”

Oops… that’s an astonishing leave by KL Rahul #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/e4uDPH1dzz

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2024

Earlier, Dhruv Jurel showcased his sound technique and cool temperament while wickets fell like ninepins at the other end in another shoddy batting display by India AJurel (80 off 186 balls), who came to bat in the third over scored nearly half of India A’s paltry first innings total of 161 in 57.1 overs with only other batter to cross 20-run mark was Devdutt Padikkal (26).

Veteran KL Rahul (4), opening the batting, done in by a peach of a delivery from Scott Boland (1/51 in 15 overs).

What stood out during the day was Jurel’s composure and ability to play late, using soft hands.

When there was extra bounce, he would quickly loosen his bottom hand grip to ensure that the ball didn’t go to slip or gully region.

He judged the length perfectly and the flicked six off Boland was a treat to watch.

While Rishabh Pant is the first-choice wicketkeeper batter, Jurel’s ability to leave deliveries on length should put him in a better position than Sarfaraz Khan in the middle-order batter role.

It was also the day when one got an indication that India senior team might bank on Rahul’s experience of opening the innings if Rohit Sharma skips a match.

However, Boland got him with a perfectly pitched up delivery that straightened to take his outside edge.

With PTI Inputs

File photo of Michael Neser.© X/@ABsay_ek

The recent India A vs Australia A warm-up match made a lot of noise due to ball-tampering allegations against the visiting team. During the match, the umpires informed India A players that the ball has been changed as it was tampered with. Umpire Shawn Craig brought the development to Indian players’ notice during the first unofficial Test. In a statement, Cricket Australia said that the ball had to be changed “due to deterioration”, while both the managers and the captains were informed of the decision before the start of the day’s play.  

Now Fox Cricket, has released a video of the exact stump mic conversation. 

Here’s how it went

Shawn Craig: When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion. Let’s play. This is not a discussion.

Ishan Kishan: So we are going to play with this ball?

Craig: You’re playing with that ball.

Ishan: That’s a very stupid decision.

Craig: Excuse me. You will be on report for dissent. That is inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball.

Kishan: Thank you!

Following that, a discussion took place in the Fox Cricket panel. The panel agreed that the way the Indian players showed dissent proved the ‘might and force of India’ in world cricket.  

David Warner‘s wife, Candice, was also part of the discussion. She said, “It just goes to show the power of India and how strong they are. A lot of these umpires want to be part of the IPL.”

One of the panelists then added: “India run the game. Every dollar that is raised in cricket, is raised by India. This change over the last few decades has been extraordinary.”

According to a report in The Indian Express, a player, requesting anonymity, denied tampering allegations, suggesting a “nail from the sideboards may have brushed the ball.”

According to Cricket Australia’s code of conduct, players involved in the ball tampering incident could be handed bans if the team is found to have intentionally changed the condition of the ball.

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“Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as unfair,” Cricket Australia’s code of conduct reads.

After the controversy spiralled up, Cricket Australia issued a statement saying, the ball change happened “due to deterioration.”