Rohit: 'More Comfortable' with Match Simulation than Practice Match

India's cricket team is gearing up for a significant challenge as they prepare to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series, following their recent 0-3 defeat to New Zealand. In a strategic decision, the Indian management has opted to forego any practice matches in favor of match simulations. This choice means that their first competitive game in Australia will be the opening Test in Perth.

Captain Rohit Sharma explained the rationale behind this decision, emphasizing that the team believes match simulation will offer better preparation than a traditional practice match. "Rather than a practice match, we planned a very match simulation kind of a thing with India A," he stated. Rohit noted that with a squad of 19 players and only three days available for preparation, it was unlikely they could effectively manage the workload through a practice game.

The captain further elaborated on the benefits of match simulation, highlighting how it allows batters to spend more time at the crease. “Sometimes when you play a practice match, a batter gets out and has to sit in the dugout for the rest of the day, limiting their batting time,” Rohit explained. In contrast, during a match simulation, batters can play between 50 to 70 balls before being retired out, allowing for more flexible and productive practice.

India A is already in Australia and has recently completed a four-day game against Australia A in Mackay. This setup includes several players from the Test squad, providing the Indian team with ample opportunity for quality preparation. Rohit expressed optimism about this approach, stating, “We want to maximize this three-day slot that we've got and I feel this is the best way to do it.”

The team plans to train at the WACA, where they will experience conditions that mimic those of the Optus Stadium, known for its bounce and carry. Rohit is hopeful that this training will help the players acclimatize to the Australian conditions effectively.

The upcoming series is crucial for India as they need to win four out of the five Tests to qualify for the World Test Championship final next year. However, there are uncertainties surrounding Rohit's participation in the series. "I wasn't too sure if I'll be going to Perth, but let's see. Fingers crossed," he remarked.

Overall, the shift from practice matches to match simulations reflects India's proactive approach to preparation, focusing on maximizing their training opportunities ahead of a challenging series against a formidable Australian side.