Leaked email exposes paranoia of an under-siege India, with WACA construction workers in the firing line

Far from embracing the interest in what is the first five Test series against Australia in more than three decades, India has bunkered down, with some extraordinary requests.

Construction workers at the WACA Ground have been barred from taking photos, shooting video or even actively watching India train as the tourists prepare for next week’s first Test.

The Indians have arrived in Perth for a training camp ahead of the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series on November 22, and have hit the nets at the WACA in a bid to acclimatise to Perth Stadium’s hostile deck.

Far from embracing the interest in what is the first five Test series between the nations in more than three decades, Indian team management is seeking to keep prying eyes away from the team that arrives in Australia under siege following a shock 3-0 home Test series defeat to New Zealand, a result that severely jeopardised India’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Test Championship final.

Construction workers have been warned by the Indian team. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The extent to which India is keeping their practice guarded is laid bare in a leaked email issued to workers involved in the WACA refurbishment, due to be completed next year.

Not only has the public been barred from watching India train, even those working in the precinct are under strict instructions not to take a peek, according to an email sent by Adam Sauzier of ADCO Constructions, who is building the new facility.

“This week India and India A are training at the WACA Ground from Tuesday 12 November until Sunday 17 November, as part of India’s preparation for the Test Match at Perth Stadium the following week,” the email reads.

“During all training sessions, please do not take any photos or videos or fly any drones, of the training sessions and please do not sit and watch the sessions.”

Email in question. Picture: Supplied

The memo also makes reference to an India v India A match that had been scheduled from Friday to Sunday but has since been scrapped with the tourists instead preferring to have centre wicket practice.

The WACA Ground is also home to WA Cricket’s administrative base, with The West Australian reporting that “staff members have been banned from using their mobile phones outside their offices, filming inside the ground and from using certain areas of the precinct.”

India A were scheduled to play a tour match against India at the WACA, but this has since been scrapped. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

India A lost its two matches against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne, with no India A players or officials put up to do media, even following allegations of ball tampering levelled against the India A side which were ultimately unsubstantiated.

India coach Gautam Gambhir said his team was determined to right the wrongs of the whitewash at the hands of the Black Caps.

“I feel there is a lot of hunger, especially after what has happened in the last series,” Gambhir said.

“We’ve been to Australia many times, so that experience will be crucial.

“If we play to our potential, we play our best cricket, we can beat anyone on any wicket.”

Originally published as Leaked email exposes paranoia of an under-siege India, with WACA construction workers in the firing line