In advance of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Jonty Rhodes endorses Australia’s choice to forgo a practise match.

Since 2016, Australia has not claimed the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

In advance of the next four-match Test series beginning on February 9, Australia decided not to play a warm-up game in India, and South African veteran Jonty Rhodes has spoken out in favour of that choice. He also endorsed the Australian batsman Steve Smith’s claim that “practise games in India are unimportant” and praised the foreigners for their “wise decision.”

Prior to the opening Test in Nagpur, Australia has been practising in Bangalore. Usman Khawaja had previously asserted that the fields utilised for exhibition games and real matches are different. Former Australian Ian Healy endorsed his claim as well.

“I’ve seen the practise fields in India, and there are several footprints there. The primary field is utilised for training. These days, cricket is played often by all the teams, and turning tracks are not just used in India. In an interview with Dainik Jagran, Rhodes noted, “How much time you spend there and how much you prepare helps you adjust to the conditions.

“I can see what Steve Smith was trying to communicate. He is aware that the practise fields will be more lush, and Australia made a wise choice to hold the game on the practise field. Players are competing all around the world and have developed very intelligent cricketers, he continued.

The Australians have suffered a major setback with pacer Josh Hazlewood being ruled out of the first two Tests due to medical issues, which comes before of the crucial matchup against Men in Blue. Without Mitchell Starc, the visitors are already participating in the series.

Both teams will need to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to guarantee their place in the World Test Championship championship game. India will have the advantage because they have won the last three Australian Test series (in 2017, 2018–19, and 2020–21) and are unbeaten at home since 2012. After the 2014–15 season, the No. 1 Test team in the world will attempt to defeat India in a Test series.