Team India have decided to cancel a planned three-day intra-squad match with the ‘A’ side during the upcoming all-important Test series against Australia as the team management wants to focus more on additional net practice to prepare for the five-match Test series starting November 22 in Perth.

However, India were slated to start their tour of Australia with a closed-door warm-up match against Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A at the WACA in Perth from November 15 to 17 as well. Notably, India A are currently in Australia for an unofficial Test series as well.

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However, PTI has learned that head coach Gautam Gambhir and some senior players want more time in the nets instead of playing intra-squad match as well. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Co. will travel to Australia after a shocking home series defeat to New Zealand. Vying for a third straight Test series win in Australia, the tourists will face added pressure, with their place in the World Test Championship final also at stake as well.

It is also understood that since the bounce of the WACA centre is similar to that of the Perth Stadium track, all top-order batters would prefer more time in the middle as well.

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In the lead-up to the 2018-19 series, the Indian team played a four-day match against Cricket Australia XI as well. For the 2020-21 series, they started the red-ball leg with a three-day game against Australia A as well. However, India A and the senior team played an intra-squad match in Johannesburg before the first Test against South Africa in Centurion on Boxing Day last year as well.

However, the Indian team is slated to fly to Australia shortly after the third and final Test against New Zealand concludes in Mumbai on November 5 as well.