Rohit Sharma’s first match in Australia to be against Prime Minister’s XI

Rohit is expected to play the PM XI match (November 30-December 1) before the 2nd Test in Adelaide (December 6-10).

Rohit Sharma is expected to join the Indian cricket team on November 22. This means the Australia vs. India 1st Test will already be underway by then. While most of his teammates have practiced on Australian pitches, the Indian captain has been busy fulfilling his daddy duties following the birth of his second child.

This means that Rohit will be undercooked for the 2nd Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide. The game starts ten days after the first match is over, but given his form and the circumstances he’s coming in, it won’t be easy for the opener. Luckily, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already planned for this.

Rohit Sharma to get crucial match practice

In a bid to prepare for the Day-Night Test match at the Adelaide Oval, the BCCI decided to play a two-day warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI at the Manuka Oval, Canberra. Now, this isn’t common at all. This is just the fourth time since the India vs Australia Test rivalry started in 1947-48 that India will play against Australia’s PM XI. The last time it happened was two decades ago (2004).

This means that captain Rohit Sharma will get to play a simulation Day-Night Test match before the actual one. This certainly helps the entire Indian team, but out of touch and out of form, Rohit is definitely lucky to get some practice before he leads India in Adelaide.

Australia ready for PM XI vs India

Earlier today, Cricket Australia announced their squad for the warm-up match. Scott Boland’s the only player who’s part of the Australia squad as well and would make his case for an entry into the XI for the Adelaide Test. Meanwhile, Sam Konstas, who was touted as David Warner‘s replacement before Nathan McSweeney came in, will also feature.

Prime Minister’s XI squad for India match

Jack Edwards (c), Charlie Anderson, Mahli Beardman, Scott Boland, Jack Clayton, Aidan O’Connor, Ollie Davies, Jayden Goodwin, Sam Harper, Hanno Jacobs, Sam Konstas, Lloyd Pope, Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan