Irani Cup, Asian Games and ODIs leave little room to prepare for NZ series, BGT

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.