Picture Credit: X
Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan recently questioned Team India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to skip warm-up matches ahead of the highly-anticipated five-match Test series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). With the series set to commence in less than a week’s time, the former cricketer was left shocked at India’s reluctance to play intra-squad matches.
Notably, India opted out to play a match against India A ahead of the Perth Test, which is set to commence from November 22 at the Optus Stadium. Days after BCCI’s decision, skipper Rohit Sharma revealed the reason, adding that the players would be able to train for more hours in match simulations instead of intra-squad game.
I’m surprised: Michael Vaughan questions India’s reluctance to play intra-squad games
Speaking with Fox Cricket, Vaughan was not left convinced with Rohit Sharma’s explanation of skipping the intra-squad game, whereas he was shocked and surprised at the same time. “I can’t get my head around a team like India only wanting to play an intra-squad game leading into a series against Australia in their own backyard,” Michael Vaighan told Fox Cricket.
Vaughan further questioned India’s readiness for the series, stating, “I just can’t see how you get yourself in that competitive mindset of consequence by playing an intra-squad game. Time will tell. I’m surprised that this Indian side didn’t want at least one game of cricket, and the WACA’s the perfect venue because it’s a similar pitch to Optus (Stadium), so you get used to the bounce.”
However, what comes out will be seen when Australia takes on India in the first Test, starting from November 22. Moreover, Team India will have a lot of concerns to address, with both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill likely to miss the opening Test. The Indian skipper is on a paternity break after he welcomed a second child, a baby boy on Friday, November 15 with wife Ritika Sajdeh, whereas Shubman Gill has fractured his thumb during the match simulation sessions at WACA Stadium in Perth.
