Two-match Australia A vs India A series to serve as precursor to 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar series

A new development indicates that two four-day matches will occur before the commencement of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar series, slated for October 31 and November 7 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, respectively. Before the opening Border-Gavaskar Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22, the entire Indian squad, encompassing both the main tour party and the A team, will engage in an internal warm-up fixture at the WACA from November 15 to 17.

In turn, this will prepare the tourists and give players from both sides a chance to bolster their cases for Test selection. Despite scales tilting towards Steven Smith retaining his role as an opener, the composition of Australia's batting lineup may still be subject to debate leading up to the India series. With seasoned campaigner, David Warner, bidding adieu to the longest format of the game, it would be the chance for Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw to get places in Australia A, striving to prove themselves as the luminary southpaw's potential long-term replacement.

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Australia is in a bit of a bind with the two First Class games clashing with the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, specifically the second and third ODIs on November 8 and 10. Consequently, selectors must prudently decide in advance if any white-ball team members could also participate in the A side's matches. The scheduling of the A games is likely to overlap with the Sheffield Shield fixtures, Australia's top domestic red-ball competition, which usually starts in October every year.

Ahead of the Border Gavaskar Test series in 2020-21, India contested two warm-up matches against Australia A, and ultimately, India prevailed with a historic 1-2 series triumph. 

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During the timeframe of the second men's Test in Adelaide, the India women's team will also be in Australia, set to participate in three ODIs in early December.