KL Rahul not allowed family time; flown directly to Australia in emergency before Border-Gavaskar Trophy

KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel are set to fly out to Australia earlier than the main Indian Test squad, as they will be joining India A to gain essential match practice, given their recent limited exposure on the field, ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

The upcoming five-match Test series is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22, and the senior selection committee wants to provide KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel with essential game time before the high-voltage campaign in Australia.

KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel set to join India A squad in Australia before Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

According to the Indian Express, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has arranged a Tuesday (November 5) morning flight for KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel to ensure their participation in the second four-day match against Australia A in Melbourne, starting on Thursday (November 7).

Notably, KL Rahul is seeking to build momentum after limited opportunities in the recent Test series against New Zealand at home, where he played only in the first Test in Bengaluru.

Read Also: IND vs AUS: BCCI Crushes Gautam Gambhir after New Zealand whitewash, role reduced to a puppet

On the other hand, Dhruv Jurel has not played a single game in the New Zealand Test series, serving mostly as a backup wicketkeeper, and briefly took the field when Rishabh Pant faced a minor knee injury.

The Indian Express report claimed that the Indian cricket team management, along with the selection committee, decided on KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel's early departure to Australia due to their recent limited match exposure.

They felt that both KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel needed additional game time before the Test series. However, the Indian team is scheduled to fly to Australia in two batches for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Rohit Sharma and Team India opt for match simulation over practice game ahead of Australia Test

It is also being said that the originally planned practice match between India and India A ahead of the first Test against Australia has been replaced with an intensive center-wicket simulation session, allowing them to adjust to the conditions and intensify their preparations ahead of the first Test.

With only three days allocated for pre-series preparation, Rohit Sharma and the Indian cricket team management have decided on a match simulation approach to optimize the limited time available. Rohit feels it is an effective strategy, which allows batters extended time at the crease and provides bowlers with sufficient opportunities to build up their rhythm.

Read Also: "Virat Kohli and India have been exposed"- Australia legend before Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

The Indian captain stressed that a match simulation approach offers the flexibility to fine-tune skills and adjust to the conditions in a focused environment. He believes that this tailored approach will enhance the players’ preparation without compromising on quality game experience.

We as a team feel more comfortable doing a match simulation: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma said at the post-match press conference after India’s whitewash by New Zealand: “We are traveling with a squad of 19 players, and only three days were allotted to us. I don’t know how much workload we can get in those three days in terms of getting everyone prepared.

The management feels that we’d rather have a match simulation where batters can spend more time in the middle and the bowlers can bowl a lot of balls. That is something that we as a team feel more comfortable doing rather than playing a practice game because game time is not a problem.”

Notably, the Indian cricket team is set to hold their training sessions at the WACA, Perth's historic former Test ground, while the opening match of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will take place at the nearby Optus Stadium.