Sunil Gavaskar Calls for India to Reconsider Cancellation of Australia Warm-Up Match After NZ Defeat

At Wankhede Stadium, India lost the third Test by 25 runs, therefore finishing a dismal home series in which they lost all three matches to New Zealand. While India's Ravindra Jadeja grabbed 5 for 65 in the first inning, New Zealand produced 235 and 174, with Daryl Mitchell's 82 leading the way. India answered with 263, underlined by Shubman Gill's 90 and Rishabh Pant 's quick 64, but dropped in the chase and bowled only 121. For NZ, Ajaz Patel was vital; his match stats came up as 11 for 160.

Losing the three-match Test series against New Zealand, India suffered a clean sweep at home. The show focused on the main issues with batting consistency and the incapacity to take advantage of first innings leads. Though players like Gill and Pant had individual brilliance, the team's overall shortcomings and a strong New Zealand side made the series terrible for the hosts. Will Young was the Player of the Series; Ajaz Patel was Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra BREAKS Silence on Rishabh Pant's Controversial Dismissal During Mumbai Test 

Sunil Gavaskar wants the Indian cricket team to prepare hard for the BGT series against Australia 

Ahead of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series in Australia, Sunil Gavaskar called on India to think again over their decision to pull off a scheduled warm-up game against the India A squad. Although the warm-up would not be essential for more experienced players, he underlined that it would help less experienced players adjust to the Australian environment. Speaking to The Indian Express, Sunil Gavaskar said:

 “I really do believe that they should have a warm-up game. In the gaps between Test matches, they really should have warm-up games,” 

“Not necessarily for the senior players. But for the junior players who have never played in Australia before. For the Yashasvi Jaiswals, the Sarfaraz Khans, the Dhruv Jurels, all these young batters. Even against an Australia A team or a state side like Queensland. Juniors must be given the opportunity to get used to the bounce and pitches in Australia.”

"Just believe in yourself. Practice as much as you can. I think there is some merit in facing throwdowns. But it is more important to play regular bowling. Face the quicker bowlers. Not (Jasprit) Bumrah, of course, because Bumrah can kill you. But you can ask others to bowl from 20 yards instead of 22 yards. So therefore, the ball comes on to the bat quickly.

And you will get used to it. That is what I would say to the batsmen. In five-day games you have to be patient and you will score runs. Australian pitches are the best pitches to bat on after the new ball is done. And nowadays, the new ball is only swinging and moving for 10-12 overs," 

Originally intending to have an intra-squad game versus India A before the first Test in Perth, India is scheduled to leave for Australia on November 10. Instead of this warm-up game, however, is a centre-wicket simulation. Unlike a conventional practice match, Captain Rohit Sharma said this new strategy would provide batters and bowlers with more precious middle time.