<p>The two-week soujourn, which involves a T20 and a 50-over event, begins on August 8 and India will be looking to retain the title they won last year under S Badrinath. “Most of us in the team have had prior experience in Australia,” said the stumper during a week-long preparatory camp here at the National Cricket Academy on Friday. <br /><br />“Some of the players were part of the Emerging Players’ team last year. Some have been there as part of the Border-Gavaskar scholarship and players from the Mumbai Indians have had a camp in Australia. So we are all aware of the conditions there,” noted the left-hander, who was part of the Indian Test squad that toured Australia in 2004.<br /><br />Patel termed the training facilities at the NCA as ideal for the tour’s preparations. “Yes, there will be pace and bounce in Australia but the practice pitches here are good and afford bounce and thanks to the rains, there has been some good seam movement as well,” he pointed out.<br /><br />The Gujarat player also ruled out any sort of pressure on the players as they go into the tournament as defending champions. “There is no pressure as such. Yes, last year we did well in the Emerging Players’ tournament and we (India ‘A’) have done well in recent months. The team is confident and we are looking forward to performing well in Australia. For many of us, the tour presents another opportunity to push our cases,” he remarked.<br />The 25-year-old, who last played for India in 2008, said he was looking forward to the season. “I have worked hard on my wicket-keeping and batting and like every season, this season too is crucial and I think right now I am on top of my game.”</p>
<p>The two-week soujourn, which involves a T20 and a 50-over event, begins on August 8 and India will be looking to retain the title they won last year under S Badrinath. “Most of us in the team have had prior experience in Australia,” said the stumper during a week-long preparatory camp here at the National Cricket Academy on Friday. <br /><br />“Some of the players were part of the Emerging Players’ team last year. Some have been there as part of the Border-Gavaskar scholarship and players from the Mumbai Indians have had a camp in Australia. So we are all aware of the conditions there,” noted the left-hander, who was part of the Indian Test squad that toured Australia in 2004.<br /><br />Patel termed the training facilities at the NCA as ideal for the tour’s preparations. “Yes, there will be pace and bounce in Australia but the practice pitches here are good and afford bounce and thanks to the rains, there has been some good seam movement as well,” he pointed out.<br /><br />The Gujarat player also ruled out any sort of pressure on the players as they go into the tournament as defending champions. “There is no pressure as such. Yes, last year we did well in the Emerging Players’ tournament and we (India ‘A’) have done well in recent months. The team is confident and we are looking forward to performing well in Australia. For many of us, the tour presents another opportunity to push our cases,” he remarked.<br />The 25-year-old, who last played for India in 2008, said he was looking forward to the season. “I have worked hard on my wicket-keeping and batting and like every season, this season too is crucial and I think right now I am on top of my game.”</p>
