KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel have been added to the India A squad for the second unofficial Test against Australia A, scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) starting November 7.
Much needed practice game for KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel
This decision comes as part of the Indian team’s strategy to provide these players with much-needed match practice ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth.
KL Rahul, who has had a challenging run recently, played only the first Test against New Zealand before being dropped due to underwhelming performances. In his last five innings, he managed just 118 runs, with only one half-century. On the other hand, Dhruv Jurel, who made his debut earlier this year against England, has not had significant game time since then. His only recent involvement was as a substitute wicketkeeper when Rishabh Pant suffered a knee injury during the New Zealand series.
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Strategic move by BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to send Rahul and Jurel to Australia early to ensure they are adequately prepared for the high-stakes series against Australia. With the cancellation of a scheduled practice match against India A, team management felt that participating in this unofficial Test would be more beneficial for both players.
The second unofficial Test follows a disappointing performance by India A in their first match against Australia A, where they lost by seven wickets. The addition of Rahul and Jurel aims to bolster the squad as they face a potentially stronger Australian lineup, which may include key players like Scott Boland and Michael Neser.
As India A prepares for this crucial encounter, both Rahul and Jurel will be looking to make a significant impact on the field, not only to regain form but also to solidify their positions ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The match at the MCG will serve as an important stepping stone for these players as they aim to contribute effectively in the five-match Test series against Australia.
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