Canberra: Former captain Tim Paine will coach the Australian Prime Minister's XI for the two-day pink-ball practice match against India later this month. Paine (39) was the captain of Australia during the last two tours of India in which the visitors won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by the same margin of 2-1.

Paine played his last test against India

Paine, who played 35 Tests, 35 ODIs and 12 T20Is for Australia, played his last international match against India in the final Test of the 2020-21 series in Brisbane which the hosts lost by three wickets at the Gabba. Paine played for Tasmania in his last first-class match in March 2023 and has also been involved as a coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.

Paine is looking forward to working with young players

'Cricket ACT' quoted Paine as saying, "I think any chance for a young coach like me to lead the team is a great opportunity so I am looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to working with some of the most talented young cricketers in Australia so it will be fun."

This match will be to prepare for the pink test

India will play five Tests on this tour for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the two-day practice match will be a practice match for the pink ball test. The second Test on this tour will be played with a pink ball from December 6 to 10 in Adelaide. The first Test will start in Perth on November 22. Paine said, 'They (India) will play with some of their best players and they have some of the best players in the world.'