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'Chhup Ke Practice..,' Ex-Pakistan Player Claims India Not Confident Of Defending BGT

Basit Ali confused with India's closed door practice [Source: @TheRealPCB, @raj_cricspace/X.com]Basit Ali confused with India's closed door practice [Source: @TheRealPCB, @raj_cricspace/X.com]

Ahead of the first Test against Australia in Perth, India practiced in multiple net sessions and also conducted an intra-squad game simulation. However, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali was unimpressed by India's close door practice, stating the visitors are scared and not confident of defending their Border-Gavaskar Series title.

The countdown for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series has begun as India and Australia are set to clash in the Perth Test on November 22. The visitors landed in Perth last week to practice in multiple net sessions at WACA Perth ground. The team also played an intra-squad game to adapt to the conditions. However, all the proceedings happened behind closed doors as BCCI ordered it to maintain secrecy.

Basit Ali shares strong take on India's closed doors practice!

Meanwhile, in a YouTube video, former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali criticised the Indian cricket team for practising behind closed doors. He claimed that the visitors' confidence is low and they are not backing themselves to defend the title. He also added that India should have played warm-up games as net sessions are not helpful in overseas conditions.

"The confidence level of the Indian team is very low. Chup ke to practice kar rahe hai (They are practicing secretly). The preparation that should have been done before the series is missing. It doesn't matter if you reached Australia 12 days before the series or even 12 months before the series. This is not the way. You should play matches in Australia to be able to tackle their bowling," Ali said.

Besides, Basit Ali urged Gautam Gambhir to include wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel in the playing XI as the youngster scored twin fifties in the unofficial Test against Australia A.

"My personal opinion is that Jurel, who is in form, should be included in the playing eleven. In Australia, whosoever is in form should be played. So what if he bats at no.5 or 6! Push him at no.3. He has guts, is a good player of the cut and pull shots. It might play," he added.

Rohit unavailable for Perth Test, Bumrah to lead India

According to PTI, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is set to miss the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child. He will join the team in Adelaide for the second Test. As earlier confirmed by head coach Gautam Gambhir, Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in Rohit's absence. Moreover, KL Rahul is believed to be the preferred opener as he practised rigorously in nets last week.