KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel head to Australia early for crucial preparation ahead of Test

India’s KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel are scheduled to fly to Australia ahead of the main squad to secure valuable match practice before India’s five-Test series against Australia, set to commence on November 22 in Perth. Both batters will feature in the India A team for their second and final four-day match against Australia A, which will take place at the MCG starting on November 7. The India A squad, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, aims to make a strong comeback after a seven-wicket loss in the first match in Mackay, which ended controversially due to a ball-change issue. This additional game will allow Rahul and Jurel to get familiar with the challenging Australian conditions before joining the senior team for the main series.

Rahul and Jurel head to Australia early for crucial practice

Rahul, who has struggled to find form in recent Test outings, is looking to regain his confidence after being left out of India's XI for the second and third Tests against New Zealand. He was replaced by Shubman Gill, with whom the management seems keen to experiment following a 3-0 defeat at home. For Jurel, this early opportunity is equally crucial as he attempts to establish his place in India’s Test plans. Having last played in the Test series against England, Jurel has not featured in the five home Tests since Rishabh Pant’s return. With limited red-ball exposure, Jurel's recent outings have included a Duleep Trophy match and a notable 93-run innings in the Irani Cup, showcasing his potential to make a comeback.

India's preparations under Rohit’s strategic approach

Sending Rahul and Jurel ahead signifies India’s intent to maximize match practice. Originally, the Indian team had planned an intra-squad warm-up fixture in Perth to acclimate, but captain Rohit Sharma explained the change in plans, emphasizing the need for focused match simulations instead. The team, he reasoned, would benefit more from these dedicated simulations than a conventional practice game. "We’re traveling with a 19-man squad and have just three days. A practice game won’t offer everyone adequate time," Rohit noted, adding that simulation sessions allow batters and bowlers to gain the middle time they need to prepare rigorously.

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The Indian squad, departing on November 10, will train at Perth’s iconic WACA ground ahead of the Test series opener at Optus Stadium, a venue where they last played in 2018-19, securing a memorable 2-1 series win. Notably, captain Rohit Sharma may be unavailable for the opening match due to personal reasons, leaving Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been in excellent domestic form, as a potential opener. Easwaran, who was drafted as Rohit's replacement, has already had a taste of Australian conditions but managed only modest scores in the first A game.

India’s five-Test series in Australia marks a significant challenge, and with star players joining early and meticulous training plans, the team is working to be well-prepared for this high-stakes tour.