The Indian cricket team has landed in Canberra and the Rohit Sharma-led unit will be playing a two-day Day-Night fixture against Prime Ministers XI from November 30 at the Manuka Oval. The visitors are fresh from an emphatic win over Australia in the series opener in Perth where they registered a 295-run win.
India captain Rohit missed the fixture as he wanted to spend some time with his family and new-born child but joined the squad when the Test was underway in Perth. The right-hander has had practice sessions and will now be taking charge of the unit from the second Test in Adelaide, which begins on December 6.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Here is Team India’s schedule in Canberra:
- November 28: No practice
- November 29: Practice in the afternoon
- November 30: Practice match vs PM XI
- December 1: Practice match vs PM XI
- December 2: Travel day – Canberra to Adelaide
Latest update on Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill injured his left thumb during the match simulations in Perth before the series opener and was forced to miss the fixture. Throughout the first Test, he was spotted with protection around his injured thumb but in the latest travel videos released by the BCCI on their social media handles, Gill’s thumb didn’t have the bandage/strapping.
We will get more clarity on his participation when the practice sessions get underway in Canberra on November 29 but the management could well take it easy with the right-hander as it’s a long tour. In Gill’s absence, Devdutt Padikkal was asked to bat at No.3 but with Rohit returning to Playing XI it could well be KL Rahul who drops down the order.
India will be without coach Gambhir
Team India will be without coach Gautam Gambhir who has flown back home due to a personal emergency. The head coach is likely to rejoin the team on December 3 in Adelaide and rest of the support staff – Abhishek Nayar, Morne Morkel and Ryan ten Doeschate – will be handling the team in his absence.
Why Gautam Gambhir is flying back home and will not be with the team for D/N practice match
