Australia will not play practice matches before 2024 India Test series

The Story in Brief

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said the touring side will not play a practice match before the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy in India, preferring a short preparatory camp in conditions similar to the sub-continent. The series begins on 21 January in Nagpur and will run for more than a month, with Tests scheduled in Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and a finale in Ahmedabad. McDonald said the team is considering options used previously, including the UAE and a 2023 camp near Bengaluru.

Australia will play tour games against local sides during assignments in South Africa and England. Players shortlisted for the India tour but not in contention for the preceding home Tests against New Zealand are expected to prepare for the tour rather than play in the Big Bash. Names mentioned in contention include Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy, Cooper Connolly, Peter Handscomb and Matthew Renshaw. McDonald said squad selection will be informed by the four Tests against New Zealand and that the final touring group may differ; Australia have not won a Test series in India since 2004-05.

The Indian Opinion

Some reports or fan commentary may treat the decision to skip a formal practice match as either a sign of overcaution or of strategic strength. From an ordinary reader’s perspective, neither extreme is fully justified on the facts available: McDonald has cited practical reasons – replicating sub‑continental conditions and managing individual preparations – and confirmed options have not been finalised. It is also premature to infer the final touring squad or to judge Australia’s prospects in India solely from this plan; selection will depend on the four Tests against New Zealand and further decisions on camps and player workloads remain unsettled.

Original article: No practice games for Australia before next year’s India Tests: head coach McDonald (www.thehindu.com)

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