Last Updated:
Both Rahul and Jurel would be a part of the A-side as the Indian team management plans to give every player a fair chance to get some game time under their belt.
Indian team management want KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel to get game-time under their belt. (Image: AFP)
Ahead of the upcoming Test series against Australia, the pair of KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel will reportedly make the trip Down Under to take part in the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A, starting on November 7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), both Rahul and Jurel would be a part of the A-side as the Indian team management plans to give every player a fair chance to get some game time under their belt, particularly for the reserves, who could come into action for the long and arduous five-match series that is set to begin later this month.
India A could do with some more batting reinforcements after the poor display in the first unofficial game where they were bundled out for 107 and 312 respectively as they suffered a defeat by seven wickets.
The Indian team will look to have all hands on deck for the Australian tour as they hope to return to winning ways after suffering a 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand to mark their first series defeat on home soil after 12 years.
To add more pressure, the side’s chances of securing a spot in the ongoing cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) will also be at stake. For India to confirm their spot in the final for a third consecutive season, they would have to win four and draw one Test out of the five-match series, making it an even tougher task.
Australia, on the other hand, will not be interested in handing out any favours for the Indian team as they would be looking to end their decade-long losing streak against India in the Border-Gavaskar series. With revenge on the cards, Cummins and Co will be keen on dominating on home conditions as well.
The first Test is set to begin on November 22, running through to January 7, 2025.
