With India's international commitments coming to a halt since March, a piece of good news has arrived, as India are all set to tour Australia, starting November. Meanwhile, the squad selection for the tour is likely to happen soon.
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The Indian and overseas players are currently busy playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), being held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Following the conclusion of the tournament on November 10, the side would leave for Australia within a week, or so.
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The tour was previously scheduled to be held from October 11. However, owing to the accommodation of IPL in between, following the postponement of the ICC World T20, has led to the tour being delayed.
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As of now, Cricket Australia (CA) would announce fresh dates and venues for the tour within a fortnight, as the tour is set to consist of four Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said that the tour is likely to begin on November 27 with the T20Is, followed by the ODIs on December 4. Furthermore, the Test series would ideally begin on December 17, starting with the day-night Test in Adelaide.
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Meanwhile, according to a report by Sportstar, the national selection panel, which is headed by Sunil Joshi, is all set to meet next week to pick the squad for the tour. As per the report, CA has asked the details for players and other support staffs, in order to make prior arrangements, amidst the challenging circumstances and protocols, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It is to be noted that the current selection panel, comprising of Sarandeep Singh, Jatin Paranjape and Devang Gandhi, were to have their term ended on September 30. However, with the BCCI's annual general meeting being postponed, the existing panel has been asked to pick the squad for the upcoming tour.
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Meanwhile, it is also being reported that the coaching staff would leave for Australia via Dubai itself. The touring members, including the support staffs, along with Tests specialists Cheteshear Pujara and Hanuma Vihari, would leave for UAE in the final week of October. While the first player's batch is likely to leave on November 4, the batch that participates in the IPL playoffs leaves on November 11.
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India last toured Down Under in 2018-19, where they won the four-Test series 2-1, thereby retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They had also won the three-match ODI series 2-1, while the three-match T20I series ended in a 1-1 draw.
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