WTC dreams hit scheduling hurdle: Irani Cup, Asian Games and ODIs leave little room to prepare ahead of New Zealand and Australia series

WTC dreams hit a planning hurdleToo much overlap as Captain Gill’s call for a friendly vs. Aus ‘A’ coincides with Irani Cup, Asian Games, WI series…WTC dreams hit a planning hurdleToo much overlap as Captain Gill’s call for a friendly vs. Aus ‘A’ coincides with Irani Cup, Asian Games, WI series…WTC dreams hit a planning hurdle NEW DELHI: With India slipping to fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings, the team management and national selectors have had to deal with a busy schedule as they prepare for the two remaining Test assignments of the cycle – against New Zealand in November and the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia at home from January 21, 2027.TOI understands that Test captain Shubman Gill has suggested that the Indian batsmen get quality match practice on pitches offering a reasonable amount of turn against Australia ‘A’ in Puducherry this month. However, the BCCI has drawn up a schedule in which the second of the two four-day matches overlaps with the Irani Cup.At the same time, India’s two separate teams will be involved in the Asian Games and a three-match ODI series against the West Indies from late September to early October. The overlap leaves little room for the selectors to ensure the Test players get adequate preparation with the red ball against Australia ‘A’.“Indian batsmen haven’t done their best against spin at home in the last two years. Gill suggested that if a few batsmen could be given game time against Australia ‘A’, with pitches rotated throughout the matches, it would help them prepare for the BGT. Obviously, the touring Australia ‘A’ team won’t get the absolute order if the bowlers look back, but it would hurt the pitches later on. They agree,” said a BCCI source.“The problem with the schedule is that there will be very few Test players available for the ‘A’ match. Otherwise, the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup will not be as strong as the selectors would like and that could affect the level of the match,” the source added.Two four-day red-ball matches against Australia ‘A’ are scheduled for September 22-25 and October 29-2. The Irani Cup will be played in Srinagar from October 1 to 5.With several top T20I players traveling to the Asian Games, the selectors may have to tap into their reserve fund for the three-match ODI series against West Indies starting on September 27. It was also learned that VVS Laxman, who will serve as the head coach at the Asian Games, has requested four additional bowlers due to accommodation concerns for the contingent.

Almost 60 players on NZ visa list as Test build-up squeezed:

Scheduling problems also spilled over into preparations for the New Zealand Tests. TOI has learned that the board has compiled a list of nearly 60 players for visa applications.India’s tour begins with five T20Is on October 22. India ‘A’ will play three four-day red-ball matches from October 24, overlapping the five-match ODI series. The first Test is scheduled to begin just four days after the last ODI. “The team management has been asked to finalize their preparation plans for the NZ series. With so many matches packed into a tight schedule, a list of about 60 players has been shared to get visas ready. The selectors and the team management are in a difficult position as they work out a plan to prepare the players for the Test series,” BCCI sources said.Sources said that the team management and selectors are keen to release key Test players from the ODI squad after the third ODI, giving them ample time to prepare for the Tests. Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir have been vocal that they want at least 10 to 14 days to prepare before the Test series.“As the India ‘A’ red-ball series overlaps with the ODI series, some of the key Test players may have to be forced to play the India ‘A’ match before the ODIs, which would not be ideal preparation for the ODIs, especially with the World Cup barely a year away. The team management would be happy to field their full ODI side to prepare for this series in South Africa, but Test conditions could end in India next year.” WTC campaign,” the source said.

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Gap in coordination within BCCI?

The BCCI operations team usually draws up the plan in coordination with the Council of Europe, the Indian team management and the selectors. Such coordination became standard when Rahul Dravid was in charge of India’s development side and the former National Cricket Academy, now the CoE.However, sources said that the Indian team management was not involved in compiling the schedule for the season. The BCCI granted Gill’s request for reasonable preparation time while planning the recently concluded tour of Sri Lanka.However, the current schedule has made it difficult for Gill and the team management to prepare for the New Zealand tour and BGT.