‘I can’t get my head around’: Michael Vaughan questions India’s preparation ahead of Perth Test
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has questioned Team India’s preparation ahead of the Perth Test, starting from November 22.
Vaughan feels the Indian cricket team should have played a tour game instead of an intra-squad match to prepare. Earlier this month, the Indian cricket board scrapped a three-day intra-squad game at the WACA and opted for net sessions and center-wicket match simulation scenarios at the Perth venue.
“I can’t get my head around a team like India only wanting to play an intra-squad game leading into a series against Australia in their own backyard,” Vaughan told Fox Cricket.
“I just can’t see how you get yourself in that competitive mindset of consequence by playing an intra-squad game. Time will tell.
“I’m surprised that this Indian side didn’t want at least one game of cricket, and the WACA’s the perfect venue because it’s a similar pitch to Optus (Stadium), so you get used to the bounce.”
Australia also didn’t play any warm-up matches ahead of last year’s Test tours of India and England. Vaughan feels the current cricketers have a different mindset.
“These players have a different kind of mindset to what we had, whereas we probably needed more games,” Vaughan said.
“They’re playing 12 months of the year and get straight into it, but it’ll be intriguing to see how both sets of players settle on that first day when they’re playing the longer form.
“The modern player maybe believes that they don’t need (tour matches). They think they get enough cricket throughout the year and they can react and just adapt.
“I just like to see teams win and stick a marker down.”
The first Test between Australia and India gets underway at Perth Stadium on Friday.