‘Juniors Must Be Given…’: Sunil Gavaskar Wants India To Play Warm-Up Match In Australia – News18

Last Updated:November 04, 2024, 11:39 IST

According to Gavaskar, the warm-up match will give players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel a chance to get familiar with the bounce and pitches in Australia.

The Indian men’s cricket team is all set to travel to Australia later this week to take part in a five-match Test series that starts on November 22 in Perth. The Indian team was scheduled to face India A in a warm-up match, but that three-day match was cancelled. Former Indian captain and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar wants Indian to rethink the decision of cancelling the match. According to him, players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel, who are travelling to Australia for the first time, will get a chance to get familiar with the bounce and pitches in Australia during the warm-up match.

Gavaskar’s reaction came after Indian batters produced a forgetful show in the three-match Test series at home against New Zealand. India lost all three matches against the Kiwis and now need to win four of the upcoming five matches to book a place in the WTC 2025 final.

“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,” he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

The legendary batter was disappointed by India’s poor performance in the series against New Zealand but said it’s time to back the team ahead of the big tour ahead.

“One can understand losing a Test match, which has happened before, but all three Test matches are tough to take. But we have to back the team because we have a big tour ahead. We can’t start criticising the team. Yes, it’s very disappointing. We all know how good these players have been over so many years. So what I would say to them is, ‘Just forget it like it was a bad dream.’ Just totally focus on Australia. Go there, practice with purpose and the intent of winning a series for the third time. Whether you win 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, whatever. That’s the one thing that will lift the Indian cricket-loving public.”

“Occasionally, when they don’t play well and I am on air, I will say that they haven’t played well. I would also urge everybody around not to get critical about what has happened. They have done India proud over so many years,” he added.