Australia A, led by former captain Tim Paine, lines up for a four‑day test against India A in Puducherry this Tuesday.
Paine recalls the intense battles with Cheteshwar Pujara, calling him the hardest wicket to take during his captaincy. "He had great concentration and discipline," he said. "We were just trying to get him out, but it was a struggle." Pat Cummins finally broke through, catching Pujara behind.
The young Aussie bowlers are eager to test themselves against India A’s top order, which includes Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan. Paine says the A‑tour is crucial for acclimatising to Indian weather, food, and pitches. "The more times we can get here, the better we can prepare for the Border‑Gavaskar Trophy," he added.
Australia’s next big test is the Border‑Gavaskar Trophy, a series they haven’t won in India for over two decades. Paine remains optimistic, noting that while the Australian batting hasn’t been as prolific recently, they still have high‑quality players ready to step up. "I can’t see any reason why the Aussies can’t win," he said, pointing to the strong batting lineup.
The game kicks off on Tuesday and will stretch over four days, offering both squads a chance to gauge their form. After the match, the Australian A side will shift focus to fine‑tuning strategies ahead of the 2027 Border‑Gavaskar Trophy.