India's WTC final hopes take a hit: Gill wants red-ball practice but crowded schedule hampers plans

India cricket team">India cricket team">India cricket team">India cricket team">India’s failure to win the final Test of their recent series in Sri Lanka has made their path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final more difficult. The series win has given India some breathing room, but they now need at least 62 points from their remaining seven Tests and even that tally may not be enough to secure a place in the final.

India are currently fifth in the WTC standings and their next assignment will be a two-Test tour of New Zealand, followed by a five-match series against Australia at home early next year.

Gill Wants Practice Against Australia A

India captain Shubman Gill wants his players to get some quality red-ball practice ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has suggested that some of the Test players feature in the upcoming India A-Australia A series, which will be played from September 22 to October 2.

Gill believes matches on pitches that offer some turn would give India’s batters valuable preparation for the Australia series, particularly after their struggles against spin in recent home Tests.

However, the schedule has created a challenge.

The second India A-Australia A match overlaps with the Irani Cup, which begins on October 1 in Jammu and Kashmir. The selectors may be reluctant to weaken the Rest of India squad by making too many red-ball specalists available for the A series.

“Indian batters have not been at their best against spin at home over the last two years. Gill suggested that if a few batters could be given game time against Australia A, with the pitches taking some turn during the course of the matches, it would help them prepare for the BGT,” quoted a source as saying.

“The problem with the schedule is that there will be very few Test players available for the A match. Otherwise, the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup will not be as strong as the selectors would like it to be, and that could affect the standard of the match,” the source added.

Packed schedule adds to selection headache

India’s schedule during the same period is already packed. They are set to host West Indies in an ODI series beginning September 27. Several players are also scheduled to travel to Japan for the Asian Games that start from September 17.

That could force the selection committee to rely on reserves for the ODI series and further reduce the number of Test players available for the Australia A matches.

The congested calendar could also affect India’s preparations for their New Zealand tour, which includes five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.

The tour begins with the T20I series on October 22 and just a couple of days later, India A are scheduled to play three red-ball matches against New Zealand A.

The Test series will begin four days after the ODI series ends, leaving little time for the Test squad to prepare.

India to send 60-player contingent?

With multiple formats and teams operating simultaneously, India’s team management has reportedly shared a list of 60 players with the board so that their visas can be arranged in advance for the New Zealand tour.

The publication also reported that some Test players could be released from the New Zealand ODI squad midway through the series to give them additional time to prepare for the two-Test assignment.