Former England captain Michael Vaughan has questioned India's decision to skip a traditional warm-up match ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India has deviated from their last two touring parties of Australia, during which they warmed up in competitive exhibition matches against home teams to get ready for the caustic conditions Down Under. In both the 2018/19 and 2020/21 tours India played these matches in preparation for the series, winning both historic tests series in Australia.
But this time around, India's first competitive game will be the opening Test of this series against Australia at Perth Stadium, starting this Friday.
Vaughan questioned whether India had adequately prepared for the challenge of facing Australia in their own backyard and expressed bemusement at the BCCI’s choice to cancel a three-day intra-squad game at the WACA in favour of net sessions and match simulations.
"I just can't get my head around a team like India only wanting to play an intra-squad game leading into a series against Australia. I just can't see how you get yourself in that competitive mindset of consequence by playing an intra-squad game. Time will tell," Vaughan told Fox Sports.
The former England skipper argued that it was a lost opportunity for playing at the WACA, which provides the same amount of bounce and probably similar pace to the Optus Stadium pitch here in Perth.".
"These players have a different kind of mindset to what we had. Whereas we probably needed more games, they're playing 12 months of the year and think they can react and adapt quickly. But it'll be intriguing to see how both sets of players settle on that first day when they're playing the longer form," Vaughan added.
India isn't the only team that has skipped warm-up games while touring overseas. Australia too had avoided practice matches before India and England tours last season, citing scheduling conflicts.
'Looking at it through an English mindset, go and beat the Aussie A team, hammer them," Vaughan said, referencing England's approach during their victorious 2010/11 Ashes campaign. "Set the marker down that you mean business. That's what I would be doing if I was England."
At Perth Stadium, Indian team adaptability and readiness would be tested from the first ball. For Vaughan, the outcome of this gamble could set the tone for the series.
"It's a bold decision. If they start well, it'll look like a masterstroke. If not, questions will be asked about their preparation," he concluded.
The first Test between Australia and India starts Friday at Perth.
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