India opted for closed-door practice sessions in Perth ahead of the series-opening Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), and former Pakistan batter Basit Ali feels it shows that the Indian team isn’t confident about their title-defence.
India have had a strong hold on the BGT, thwarting Australia’s challenge for a decade. India’s reign also includes historic triumphs Down Under on their last two tours.
But going into this BGT, India haven’t shown consistent red-ball form and got washed out 0-3 in the home Test series against New Zealand before flying to Australia. Add to that the woeful form of their star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the problems seem compounded.
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India flew to Australia without Rohit, who recently became father again, and he won’t be available for the opening match of the five-Test series. The visitors canceled their official warm-up match against India ‘A’ to spend more time in the nets and played an intra-squad match, which were hidden from public view at the WACA stadium.
Before that, wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, was flown to Australia early to play in the unofficial Test between India A and Australia A in Melbourne. Grabbing the opportunity, Jurel stuck in to impress with knocks of 80 and 68 in the two innings to knock at the doors of head coach Gautam Gambhir for a place in the eleven for the Perth Test.
“My personal opinion is that Jurel, who is in form, should be included in the playing eleven,” said Basit in a video on his YouTube channel. “In Australia, whosoever is in form should be played…So what if he (usually) bats at No. 5 or 6! Push him to No. 3. He has guts, is a good player of the cut and pull shots. It might pay.”
Basit added that close-door practice sessions only show that India’s confidence is low.
“The Indian team’s confidence at the moment is down. Chhup ke toh practice kar rahe hain, maafi ke saath bolna pad raha hai (they are practising behind closed doors, sorry to say that)…The kind of preparation they should have had before the series is not there, whether you reach 12 days before or 12 months before (the tour). This is not the way. They should have played (warm-up) matches and tackled their (Australian) bowling,” he reckoned.
Before ending his views on the Indian team’s readiness, Basit had a piece of advice for Virat Kohli, who hasn’t been at the top of his form, especially in Test cricket.
“Let me give one piece of advice. I think Khaleel (Ahmed) is there. Practice more against the left-arm (fast) bowler, especially Virat Kohli,” he said, before adding that he is looking forward to the race between Kohli and former Australia captain Smith.
“I want to see who scores more runs between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. Will Virat score 400 runs in the series? He should, because the ball comes onto the bat (in Australia), and he does well when that happens.”
The first Test of the BGT begins in Perth on November 22.
