The Indian cricket team are seemingly unhappy with the quality of practice pitches provided at the outdoor nets of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as they prepare for the crucial Boxing Day Test. With the series tied at 1-1, tensions are high not only between the teams, but also among the media contingents, with recent local media coverage further fuelling the intensity ahead of the much-anticipated contest.

The Indian team have had two practice sessions at the MCG so far. However, the four net pitches allotted to them have been slow, with minimal bounce and pace — characteristics starkly different from what they are likely to encounter during the Boxing Day Test. It is understood that these pitches were prepared primarily for Big Bash League (BBL) training sessions.