India vs India A, Simulation Match: Indian Batters Virat Kohli, KL Rahul Struggle Against Bounce in Perth

Add as a preferred source on Google

India vs India A, Simulation Match: As part of preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Team India began their centre-wicket match simulation against India A at the iconic WACA ground in Perth on Friday, November 15.

However, the outing started on a challenging note for India's top-order batters, with the pitch's bounce and pace exposing vulnerabilities.

Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal began cautiously but faced stiff resistance from the India A pacers. Rahul, who scored a composed 29, was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the elbow by a rising delivery, a worrying sight for the team management. Jaiswal managed only 15 runs before falling prey to a deceptive length delivery.

Virat Kohli, India’s batting mainstay, displayed glimpses of his classic form with elegant stroke play but fell for 15, attempting a cut shot that found the fielder. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, known for his counterattacking style, showed early aggression but struggled against the short ball, managing just 19 runs before being dismissed.

The India A pace attack, led by Navdeep Saini, Mukesh Kumar, and Nitish Reddy, impressed on the lively WACA surface. The trio effectively exploited the conditions, consistently troubling India’s star-studded batting line-up.

Mukesh and Saini, in particular, found success with their ability to extract bounce and movement, accounting for the dismissals of Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Dhruv Jurel, who were all caught behind the wicket.

India’s batters appeared unsettled by the challenging conditions, with edges to the slips and gully becoming a recurring theme. Despite the struggles, the match simulation provided valuable exposure for the team ahead of the Australian tour, offering insights into handling the pace and bounce expected in the upcoming series.

The WACA pitch, though not excessively challenging, exposed India's vulnerabilities against pace. This simulation match serves as a wake-up call for Team India as they gear up for the rigours of playing in Australian conditions.