'No Request' From BCCI But Australian Media Report Claims India Wanted 'Closed Door' Sessions

Indian team management has decided to allow public to watch ir centre-wicket training sessions from Friday to Sunday when y would do match simulation and play a warm-up game against India A at WACA ground.

This is in contrary to an Australian media report claiming that visiting team's practice sessions are closed to public.

On Wednesday, ' Australian' claimed in a report that a team of construction workers, which is currently refurbishing WACA, has been mailed by its company CEO to not watch, pictures, or fly drones during India net sessions.

" extent to which India is keeping ir practice guarded is laid bare in a leaked email issued to workers involved in WACA refurbishment, due to be completed next year," newspaper reported.

"Not only has public been barred from watching India train, even those working in precinct are under strict instructions not to take a peek, according to an email sent by am Sauzier of CO Constructions, who is building new facility." Quoting e-mail, newspaper wrote: "This week India and India A are training at WACA Ground from Tuesday 12 November until Sunday 17 November, as part of India's preparation for Test Match at Perth Stium following week.

"During all training sessions, please do not take any photos or videos or fly any drones, of training sessions and please do not sit and watch sessions." leing daily furr said, " memo also makes reference to an India v India A match that h been scheduled from Friday to Sunday but has since been scrapped with tourists inste preferring to have centre wicket practice." However, when people in BCCI were asked y categorically denied having sent such official communication.

"Neir from India or from India A such a request, at least on official capacity, has gone demanding closed-door net sessions. practice session is open to all. Indian and Australian media can watch and cover for as long as y want. re is no such restrictions till now," a source in know of things told PTI on condition of anonymity.

It was also learnt that India A players have reported in Perth and will be part of intra-squ 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," source ded.

It is understood that management wants a Mohammed Siraj or an Akash Deep to bowl at Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant . One team would be loed with batters and anor with bowlers for quality centre-wicket training.

"This was same practice during COVID times when India travelled to England with around 23-24 players," he said.

India have first official session, Kohli joins nets  

entire Indian contingent on Wednesday came for an afternoon net session at WACA and were also joined by some India A team members.

Virat Kohli batted for a considerable period of time at nets along with or main batters.

Skipper Rohit Sharma , waiting for birth of his second child, has not joined squ yet, although coach Gautam Gambhir remained hopeful that he could link up with team before first Test. A confirmation is awaited, though.