Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @indiancricketteam
The Indian team management has announced that the public will be allowed to watch their center-wicket training sessions from Friday to Sunday, during which they will conduct match simulations and play a warm-up game against India A at the WACA ground. This contradicts an Australian media report suggesting that the team’s practice sessions are closed to the public.
On Wednesday, ‘The Australian‘ reported that construction workers refurbishing the WACA had been instructed by their company’s CEO not to watch, photograph, or fly drones during India’s net sessions.
“The extent to which India is keeping their practice guarded is laid bare in a leaked email issued to workers involved in the WACA refurbishment, due to be completed next year,” the newspaper claimed.
The report also mentioned: “Not only has the public been barred from watching India train, even those working in the precinct are under strict instructions not to take a peek, according to an email sent by Adam Sauzier of ADCO Constructions, who is building the new facility.”
Quoting the email, the newspaper wrote: “This week India and India A are training at the WACA Ground from Tuesday 12 November until Sunday 17 November, as part of India’s preparation for the Test Match at Perth Stadium the following week. During all training sessions, please do not take any photos or videos or fly any drones, of the training sessions and please do not sit and watch the sessions.”
The report further claimed, “The memo also makes reference to an India v India A match that had been scheduled from Friday to Sunday but has since been scrapped with the tourists instead preferring to have center wicket practice.”
However, BCCI sources have denied sending any official communication requesting closed-door net sessions. “Neither from India nor from India A such a request, at least on official capacity, has gone demanding closed-door net sessions. The practice session is open to all. The Indian and Australian media can watch and cover for as long as they want. There are no such restrictions till now,” said the source as reported by TOI.
Additionally, India A players have arrived in Perth and will participate in the intra-squad match.
“It won’t be a three-day official first-class match. It will be match simulation, allowing any number of batters to bat, even if someone gets out early,” the source explained.
The team management intends for bowlers like Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep to bowl at key players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. The setup will involve one team of batters and another of bowlers to ensure quality center-wicket practice.
“This was the same approach used during COVID times when India toured England with around 23-24 players,” the source added.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
