Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has advised Team India to play first-class matches or tour games ahead of the Test series Down Under in December 2024.

Citing India’s recent defeat against South Africa in Centurion, Gavaskar pointed out that it has become a 'pattern' lately for the touring Indian team to lose the first Test of a series and play catch up.

In tour matches, second rate sides usually take part but Gavaskar still believes that the preparation will be quite beneficial.

"The defeat in Centurion is pretty much a pattern for Indian teams touring the SENA countries, where they lose the first Test of the series and then play catch-up for the remainder of the series. The next big series overseas is exactly a year away in Australia, and if India needs to keep the winning momentum of the previous two tours there, then the planning must start now. The FTP suggests that India is playing two Tests against Bangladesh and three Tests against New Zealand at home from the end of September to early November," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

"The first Test of a five-match series in Australia will likely start in early December, so it does give the Indians time to play a couple, if not more, first-class games before the series. Rohit said after the loss in Centurion that these games are no good because the host countries put up second-rate teams, and they get to play on slow pitches. Even if that is true, isn't it better to get into a rhythm against such opposition than stay at home? Not only the batters can get some runs under their belts, but the bowlers can also go flat out and test themselves," he added.

India suffered an innings and 32 runs defeat at the hands of South Africa in the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

The visitors were bowled out for 245 and 131 across the two innings while conceding 408 runs with the ball.

However, the Rohit Sharma-led bounced back in the second Test in Cape Town, winning the game by seven wickets within two days to level the series 1-1.

India skittled the Proteas for a mere 55 in the first innings at Newlands, before taking a significant lead of 98 runs. The Indian bowlers ran through the South African batting line-up in the second essay as well, bundling them out for 176 to script a historic victory.