Former India batter Suresh Raina was taken aback by the Australian team’s decision not to play a practise game ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on February 9 in India. The former Indian cricketer believes that not playing a practise game would disadvantage the visitors.
He feels that such games are very significant since they assist visiting teams in acclimating to Indian circumstances.
“I’ve played practise matches (before of Tests), and they’re crucial. They (Australia) can only grasp the quality of Indian pitches if they play on them “Raina said, as reported by India Today.
Steve Smith, Australia’s star batter, had said that practise matches in India are unimportant. The last time we visited I’m fairly sure we were served up a green-top (to practise on) and it was kind of meaningless.
We’d be better off with our own nets and bringing in spinners to bowl as much as they can. We’ll see when we get to the ground. “I believe we made the correct choice not to play a tour match,” Smith told India Today.
Australia has been practising at Alur (near Bangalore) in preparation for the first Test against India in Nagpur. The tourists are working on rank turners and have also enlisted the services of Mahesh Pithiya, a right-arm off-spinner from Baroda, to help them prepare for the series since his bowling movement is similar to Ravichandran Ashwin’s.
Suresh Raina feels that the series would provide viewers with exciting action. Raina, on the other hand, refused to anticipate the series’ result.
“I am thrilled with Jadeja’s return after a long time,” Raina remarked of his CSK teammate’s return to the national squad. “Our spinners R Ashwin and Axar Patel are doing well. “Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been in great form, and I believe we will see an exciting series in the coming days,” Raina remarked.
“First and foremost, let it begin. A Test match should last five days. I will only remark on performance after witnessing the first day and seeing the players’ concentration “He went on to say.
