Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India’s star batter Virat Kohli and KL Rahul is expected to be back in the playing XI for the practice game against Western Australia XI on Thursday. The duo was rested for the first practice game at the WACA ground on Monday. Although they did not play the practice match, they decided to have a knock at the nets and then on the centre wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin is also likely to get a nod in the playing XI.
The Indian team has been undergoing a preparatory camp in Perth ahead of T20 World Cup 2022. On Tuesday the entire squad went for a trip to Rottnest Island which is 19 km from the city of Perth.
Following a rest day, Rohit and his boys were back to training on Wednesday. All rounder Hardik Pandya shared a video of practicing close catching on his Twitter.
Head Coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma will be more eager to give game time to players who are coming back from injury or players who haven’t had much game time.
It will be interesting if Rishabh Pant gets another chance. He was tried as an opener in the first practice match but failed. With KL Rahul likely to be back, Pant might have to sit out.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami flew out to Brisbane from Bengaluru on Wednesday. Shami was at the National Cricket Academy recovering after testing Covid-19 positive. Now that he is fit, he is likely to replace Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur too travelled to Brisbane from Delhi. Both were part of the Indian ODI squad that recently played the series against South Africa.