The match has been accorded first-class status for India in the many years since Mahendra Singh Dhoni took over the captaincy. The Jharkhand Dasher believed that an “official match” robbed all players of taking some game time.
However, the team management wanted a proper first-class match before the start of the Test series next month.
According to BCCI sources, Pant, who had tested positive for Covid-19, has completed his scheduled 10-day isolation at an acquaintance’s place in London and is “recovering well” but he has to be taken to Durham. I have yet to join the team bubble.
A senior said, “If Pant had reached on time for the practice match, he would have been given enough rest to come back to his physical condition. He is asymptomatic but he needs to train well before the first Test in Nottingham. A BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“In any case both Pant and Wriddhiman, who are in isolation as a precaution, will be available for the first test.”
As reported earlier, KL Rahul, who is practicing, will be wearing big gloves for the game.
However, it will be Mayank whose form will be closely watched by the team management as he is likely to be the partner Rohit Sharma after the first test Shubman Gill Was dropped from the series with shin splints.
Mayank is not in the best of form in Australia and had lost his place to Rohit, who missed the first two Tests due to quarantine rules following a hamstring injury break.
While Rahul has also scored the bulk of his 2000 runs opening the innings, it is understood that he is being considered as a middle-order batsman and may be used later in the series if one of the senior batsmen. A (read Ajinkya Rahane) don’t get back in form.
Against a team that consists mostly of youngsters, with only James Bracey being the current England international, India can try both Rahul and Mayank if they get the second innings. Since the match is of three days, it is not likely to be much.
In the bowling department, Mohammad Siraj would like to account for himself well and Jasprit Bumrah would have no problem getting a few wickets under his belt, as did Ravichandran Ashwin last week. Surrey.
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