Nothing to hide: India allow fans at training

The Indian team management has decided to allow the public to watch their centre-wicket training sessions from Friday to Sunday when they will simulate match situations and play a warm-up game against India A at the WACA ground.

This is contrary to an Australian media report claiming that the visiting team’s practice sessions are closed to the public. On Wednesday, The Australian claimed in a report that a team of construction workers, which is currently refurbishing the WACA, has been mailed by its company CEO to not watch, click pictures or fly drones during the India net sessions.

However, BCCI officials categorically denied having sent such official communication. “Neither from India nor from India A such a request, at least in official capacity, has gone demanding closed-door net sessions. The practice session is open to all. The Indian and Australian media can watch and cover for as long as they want. There is no such restrictions till now,” a source in the know of things said on the condition of anonymity.

It was also learnt that India A players have reported in Perth and will be part of the intra-squad match. “Obviously it won’t be a three-day official First-Class match where if a batter gets out in the first over, he won’t have access to the centre wicket. It will be match simulation where any number of batters can bat,” the source added.

It is understood that the management wants either Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep to bowl to Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. One team would be loaded with batters and another with bowlers for quality centre-wicket training.

“This was the same practice during Covid times when India travelled to England with around 23-24 players,” he said.

The entire Indian contingent on Wednesday came for an afternoon net session at the WACA and were also joined by some India A team members. Kohli batted for a considerable period of time at the nets along with other main batters.

Skipper Rohit Sharma, waiting for the birth of his second child, has not joined the squad yet, although coach Gautam Gambhir remained hopeful that he would link up with the team before the first Test.