The Indian cricket team has arrived in Australia, gearing up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The squad has already begun rigorous practice sessions at the WACA Stadium in Perth, where the first Test is set to kick off on November 22. KL Rahul, the star Indian batter, arrived ahead of the main contingent, participating in a four-day game for India A against Australia A to acclimate to the conditions.
The recent 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand has put India’s batting unit under scrutiny, with fans and analysts calling for improvement. Rahul, who was rested for the last two Tests in that series, is vying for a place in the starting lineup against Australia.
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Unfortunately, during a net session, he was struck on his elbow and, despite his attempt to continue, had to end the practice early, escorted by the team physio due to visible discomfort. His fitness will be monitored closely in the lead-up to the series opener. India faces a steep challenge in the five-match series, needing at least a 4-0 victory to secure their spot in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final without relying on other outcomes.
KL Rahul’s not looking very comfortable after being struck on his right elbow/forearm off a rising delivery. Tried to resume batting by shaking it off but clearly couldn’t. And now leaving with the physio #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/JFivRNx7af
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 15, 2024
The New Zealand whitewash has placed additional pressure on India’s WTC campaign, and the team knows the margin for error is slim. Despite the stakes, head coach Gautam Gambhir is urging the team to approach the series with a calm mindset, focusing solely on performing well rather than stressing over WTC qualification.
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“We’re not focusing on the World Test Championship or whether we’ll qualify for the final,” Gautam Gambhir shared. “Every series holds its own importance when you’re representing your country. It’s two quality teams facing off, and our aim is simply to perform, compete, and hopefully win the series.”
With India coming off two consecutive series wins in Australia, they’ll be looking to tap into that momentum as they face a determined Australian side on their home turf.
