Rain Delays Toss for Prime Minister’s XI-India Warm-Up Match

Canberra, Australia – November 30, 2024: The highly anticipated two-day warm-up match between Prime Minister’s XI and India, scheduled to take place at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Saturday, has been delayed due to persistent rain. The rain has postponed the toss, disrupting the much-needed preparation for Team India ahead of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

This warm-up match was meant to provide India an opportunity to fine-tune their game before the upcoming Test series against Australia. The match, which is set to be a day-night affair, is crucial for the visitors to adapt to local conditions and sharpen their skills, particularly after a dramatic turnaround in their recent series against New Zealand at home.

India’s comeback in that series was nothing short of impressive, with a commanding 295-run victory over Australia in Perth, despite facing early setbacks. The first innings of that Test saw India being bowled out for just 150 runs. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 runs off 59 balls) and Rishabh Pant (37 off 78 balls) played key roles, putting together a vital 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood (4/29) and Mitchell Starc, along with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh, had India on the back foot early on.

In response, Australia’s batting faltered as they were reduced to 79/9, with Jasprit Bumrah claiming five wickets for India. Despite a late rally from Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey, who added 25 runs to the total, Australia could only manage 104 runs in their first innings, handing India a slender 46-run lead.

India’s second innings saw a brilliant display of batting from KL Rahul (77 runs off 176 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (161 runs off 297 balls), whose 201-run partnership set the stage for a dominant total of 487/6 declared. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 (143 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) further pushed India’s lead, setting Australia a daunting target of 534 runs.

Australia’s response on Day 3 saw them slip to 12/3, with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj dominating the proceedings. Despite valiant knocks from Travis Head (89 runs off 101 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (47 runs off 67 balls), Australia was bowled out for 238 on Day 4. India triumphed with a commanding 295-run victory, with Bumrah (3/42) and Siraj (3/51) finishing as the standout bowlers in the second innings.

As India prepares for their upcoming Test series against Australia, this warm-up match will be a vital opportunity for them to continue their momentum. The Indian squad for the match includes some of their top performers from recent tours, such as Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah, along with emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana.

The Prime Minister’s XI team, captained by Jack Edwards, also features several promising players, including Matt Renshaw, Jack Clayton, and Scott Boland, who will be looking to challenge India and gain valuable experience ahead of the new season.

With the rain continuing to impact the schedule, both teams will be eager for the weather to clear so they can begin their preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.