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NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team on Friday had an intra-squad match simulation at the WACA in Perth as they gear up for the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar Trophy series starting November 22.
The intense session saw some impressive bowling, with several top-order batters, including Virat Kohli, getting out caught behind on bouncy Perth surfaces.
It is understood that Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the innings, setting the stage with some early flashes of aggression.
Jaiswal struck a stylish boundary through point in the opening over, but his innings was cut short on 15 as he was caught behind the wicket, attempting a cut shot off a length ball.
Rahul injures elbow
KL Rahul’s outing was even more concerning. After making a steady 29, he was struck on the right elbow by a sharp, rising delivery from pacer Prasidh Krishna.
Following an initial assessment by the team physio, Rahul left the field to undergo scans, raising doubts about his availability for the first Test.
Viral Kohli’s form remains a concern
Virat Kohli came in at No. 3, displaying glimpses of his usual form with a couple of exquisite cover drives.
However, he too fell prey to the WACA’s bounce, nicking a good-length delivery to the second slip for 15.
The conditions proved challenging, with Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Nitish Reddy effectively exploiting the bounce to trouble the Indian batters.
Other batters struggle too
Shubman Gill was caught at gully, while Rishabh Pant, who had started aggressively, was clean-bowled by Reddy for 19, looking tentative against the short-of-a-length deliveries.
The pitch wasn’t overly menacing but clearly provided enough movement to unsettle the batters, preparing them for the challenge India will face on Australian soil.
With this being the first five-match Test series between India and Australia since the 1991-92 tour—when Australia won 4-1—the stakes are high.
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