NEW DELHI: With India down to fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, the team management and national selectors have been left coping with a congested schedule as they prepare for the two remaining Test assignments of the cycle - against New Zealand in November and the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia at home beginning on January 21, 2027. TOI understands that Test captain Shubman Gill has suggested that India's batters be given quality match practice on pitches offering a reasonable amount of turn against Australia ' A' in Puducherry this month.

However, the BCCI has drawn up a schedule in which the second of the two four-day matches overlaps with the Irani Cup. At the same time, two separate India squads will be involved in the Asian Games and the three-match ODI series against the West Indies from late September to early October.

The overlap leaves the selectors with little room to provide the Test players with adequate red-ball preparation against Australia ' A'." Indian batters have not been at their best against spin at home over the last two years.

Gill suggested that if a few batters could be given game time against Australia ' A', with the pitches taking some turn during the course of the matches, it would help them prepare for the BGT. Obviously, the touring Australian ' A' team won't be given absolute rank turners with an eye on the BGT, but it wouldn't hurt if the pitches took some turn later in the match," a BCCI source said."

The problem with the schedule is that there will be very few Test players available for the ' A' match. Otherwise, the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup will not be as strong as the selectors would like it to be, and that could affect the standard of the match," the source added.

The two four-day red-ball matches against Australia ' A' are scheduled for Sept 22-25 and Sept 29-Oct 2. The Irani Cup will be played in Srinagar from Oct 1-5.

With several leading T20I players travelling for the Asian Games, the selectors may have to draw on their reserve pool for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, beginning on Sept 27. It has also been learnt that VVS Laxman, who will serve as head coach at the Asian Games, has requested four additional net bowlers for the event amid concerns over accommodation arrangements for the contingent.

Nearly 60 players on NZ visa list as Test preparation is squeezed: The scheduling problems have also spilled over into preparations for the New Zealand Tests. TOI has learnt that the board has drawn up a list of nearly 60 players for visa applications.