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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to allow public to watch their training sessions from Friday to Sunday when they play a warm-up game against India A at the WACA ground, along with match simulations. This contrasts with an Australian media report that suggested the team’s practice sessions would be closed to the public. On Wednesday, The Australian reported that a group of construction workers, currently involved in refurbishing the WACA, received a notice from their company CEO instructing them not to watch, take photos, or use drones during India’s net sessions.
Australian media reported that India asked for a closed-door practice session.
"The extent to which India is keeping their practice guarded is laid bare in a leaked email issued to workers involved in the WACA refurbishment, due to be completed next year," the newspaper reported.
"Not only has the public been barred from watching India train, even those working in the precinct are under strict instructions not to take a peek, according to an email sent by Adam Sauzier of ADCO Constructions, who is building the new facility."
However, when people in the BCCI were asked they categorically denied having sent such official communication.
"Neither from India or from India A such a request, at least on official capacity, has gone demanding closed-door net sessions. The practice session is open to all. The Indian and Australian media can watch and cover for as long as they want. There is no such restrictions till now," a source in the know of things told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
It was also learnt that India A players have reported in Perth and will be part of the intra-squad match.
"Obviously it won't be a three-day official first-class match where if a batter gets out in first over, he won't have access to centre wicket. It will be match simulation where any number of batters can bat," the source added.
The management reportedly plans to have bowlers like Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep bowl to top batters like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. For high-quality centre-wicket practice, one team will focus on batting while the other will be packed with bowlers.
"This was the same practice during COVID times when India travelled to England with around 23-24 players," he said.
BCCI recently took their 'X' formerly known as Twitter to share a glimpse of India's practice session at WACA Stadium in Perth. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is scheduled to start from November 22. Team India will play for Test matches against Australia. The upcoming series is important for Men in Blue to seal their berth for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India need to register 4-0 win to confirm their spot without depending on other teams.
India squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
