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The Indian men’s cricket team is set to play a day and night tour match against Prime Minister’s XI during their upcoming tour of Australia, later this year. The update was confirmed in a press release by Cricket Australia on Friday, August 9. The match is set to be played between the first Test and the day-night second Test of the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, from November 30 and December 1 at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.
“India’s bid to avoid a repeat of the batting horror show they endured in their previous pink-ball Test appearance in Australia has been bolstered by the scheduling a day-night fixture against a Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval,” Cricket Australia’s statement read. “The two-day game played over the weekend of November 30-December 1 will be sandwiched between the opening NRMA Insurance Test in Perth (November 22-26) and the day-night second Test at Adelaide Oval (December 6-10),” it further confirmed.
The match is said to be a key feature that will provide Indian squad with a crucial opportunity to play under lights with pink Kookaburra ball. “It will provide an opportunity for Rohit Sharma’s men to reacquaint themselves with the pink Kookaburra ball they’ve not faced at Test level for more than two years, ahead of their return to Adelaide where they were humbled for their lowest-ever total (36) in the 2020 day-night Test,” the press release further added.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reacts on day-night Test
After Cricket Australia confirmed of the day-night tour match during the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese also opened up on the relationship the two countries have shared. He also added that the match will be a celebration of Australia and India’s long-running cricket ties.
“As friends and partners, the relationship between Australia and India has never been closer. It was an absolute honour to stand alongside Prime Minister Modi at the Fourth Test in Ahmedabad last year and celebrate both our nations’ love of cricket,” he added.
“Over the years I’ve loved watching players like Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar, so it’ll be great to see the PM’s XI face the Indian team in Canberra. I look forward to meeting with the National Selectors to discuss selection for the squad,” Prime Minister Albanese added.
Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Schedule
Date | Match | Venue | Time |
November 22-26 | 1 st Test | Perth Stadium, Perth | 8:00 am |
December 6-10 | 2 nd Test | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | 9:30 am |
December 14-18 | 3 rd Test | The Gabba, Brisbane | 5:30 am |
December 26-30 | 4 th Test | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | 5:30 am |
January 3-7 | 5 th Test | Sydney cricket Ground, Sydney | 5:30 am |
