Tim Paine Hopes for Kohli and Rohit to Play Against PM’s XI ‘for the Game’s Sake’ as Former Aussie Captain Takes on Coaching Role

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has been appointed as the coach of the Australian Prime Minister's XI, which will face India in a two-day warm-up match during India’s tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). This day-night pink-ball match will take place at Manuka Oval in Canberra, scheduled between the first Test in Perth and the second Test in Adelaide. This warm-up game offers both teams the chance to prepare for the pink-ball Test that will later take place at Adelaide Oval.

Paine, in his new role, expressed his hope that India would field their best players, including stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. “Hopefully, they (India) will approach it with some of their best players, and they have got some of the best players in the world,” he shared in an interview with Cricket ACT, a publication based in Canberra. Paine added that seeing such high-caliber players would be a treat for Canberra’s cricket fans and would elevate the match’s competitiveness.

Reflecting on India’s previous tour in 2020-21, Paine recalled India’s struggles with the pink ball, especially the infamous 36 all-out in Adelaide. Although Australia started strong in that series, India bounced back spectacularly, ultimately claiming a historic series win with memorable victories in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. This series was Paine’s last as Australia’s Test captain, as he stepped down afterward, with Pat Cummins taking over.

Paine, who recently began his coaching career with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, expressed enthusiasm for his role with the PM’s XI. “For a young coach like myself, any chance that you get to lead a team is a great opportunity,” he noted, highlighting his excitement to guide a team of promising young Australian talents. The upcoming game offers Paine the chance to test his coaching skills while guiding emerging cricketers against some of the best players in the world.

India’s tour kicks off on November 22 with the first Test at Perth Stadium, marking the beginning of another highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series.