Indian Cricket Team to play pink ball practice game ahead of Adelaide test, venue and opponent named

The biggest tour of 2024 is set to take place when the Indian Cricket Team travels to Australia in a few months. For the first time in over three decades, Rohit Sharma and his side will play a five-match Test series which is set to start on 22nd of November. 

After the first Test ends on the 26th, the teams will get a break for a few days ahead of the second test in Adelaide. The second game of the series is set to be the annual Pink Ball test to be held at the Adelaide Oval. 

It is now confirmed that India will play a two-day match against a select Prime Ministers XI in Canberra. The match will be played with Pink ball and give enough time for India to prepare for the second Test. Manuka Oval will host the game which begins on 30th November and ends on 1st December. 

Nick Hockley who happens to be the CEO of Cricket Australia said “We’re delighted to confirm India’s involvement in this year’s Prime Minister’s XI match that emphasises the significance of the fixture on the cricketing calendar,”

Cricket Australia’s CEO also said “The upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy Series will captivate the cricketing world. Today’s confirmation of the Prime Minister’s XI match is a terrific result for cricket fans, particularly in the ACT and surrounding regions, and adds to an incredible summer of cricket.”

What happened the last time India played at the Adelaide Oval?

The last time India played at the Adelaide Oval they recorded their lowest ever total in Test cricket. Australia bowled out India for just 36 and took a 1-0 lead in the series. The visitors though came back strong as they won the series with Test wins in Melbourne and Brisbane. 

India batted first and scored 244 with Virat Kohli scoring 74 and Ajinkya Rahane scoring 42. In reply, Australia were all out for 191 with then skipper Tim Paine leading the batting charts with 73. Armed with a lead of 53 runs, India ended their innings at 36 for 9 as Mohammed Shami had to retire hurt due to injury. 

Pat Cummins picked 4 wickets while Josh Hazlewood picked 5/8 to dismantle the Indian batting. None of the batters managed to reach double figures with Mayank Agarwal being the top scorer with 9. Australia won the game by 8 wickets with Joe Burns not out on 51. 

Perth will host the first Test match at the Optus stadium followed by the Adelaide Test. The third Test will be played at Gabba in Brisbane as Melbourne and Sydney will host the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Test matches.