• Source:JND
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India head coach Gautam Gambhir has opted for a practical approach, stating that the Test specialists prioritise match practice over skill drills and participate in the Ranji Trophy to prepare for the upcoming South Africa series.

With a tight turnaround between the Australia T20I series and South Africa Tests, Gambhir acknowledged that real-game experience is important to get the team match-fit.

"Sometimes it is difficult, but that is what professionalism is all about. Try and use the days to the best of their ability because we know that there are very quick turnarounds, especially from here to one-day cricket, then T20 cricket, and then, what, after four days, back to Test cricket," the coach said in a post-match press conference.

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"But again, the guys who are just part of Test cricket, I think for them to prepare and play domestic cricket is very, very important. Rather than just going to NCA (COE) and working on their skills, I think the more they play for the Test matches, it is very important for the team," he added.

Among those who were part of the Indian Test squad and not going to Australia, batter Sai Sudharsan, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, reserve batter Devdutt Padikkal and reserve keeper Narayan Jagadeesan are expected to play a few rounds just like Rishabh Pant, who is returning from an injury and is expected to play the second round game at Delhi.

Similarly, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel and KL Rahul are also expected to be available once the ODIs are over.

Gambhir noted the example of Rahul, Sudharsan, Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal, who trained for the West Indies series by playing for India A against Australia A. Rahul had also played for India A against England Lions.

"It is tough on players, especially when we are playing all three formats. But I thought that the best thing that happened in the series was the way the Test guys prepared, actually, before the series. Going to play the India A games against Australia was very, very important," Gambhir said.

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The head coach also felt that it was important to follow the template and play the Ranji Trophy matches in the lead-up to the South Africa series.

"Playing Ranji Trophy before the South Africa series is going to be equally important as well. I thought that was something which this group of players have done exceptionally well. They are preparing themselves really well for the Test series, and that is where you could see the results as well," the head coach said.