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Australia A captain Alex Carey is hoping India will field their Test XI in their tour game at the SCG starting on Friday so they can have a crack at them.
Australia A skipper Alex Carey would love India to pick their Test XI for the pink-ball tour game that begins on Friday, when Joe Burns is set to face another searching examination of his form.
The majority of Australia's Test squad has travelled to Adelaide to prepare for the series opener that begins on December 17.
Burns and uncapped players Cameron Green, Sean Abbott and Mitch Swepson will confront India in a three-day match under lights at the SCG before linking up with the Test squad.
Will Pucovski, whose recent concussion is likely to ruin his hopes of donning the baggy green next week, has remained in Sydney but will not play the tune-up.
Virat Kohli, who has managed recurring back trouble carefully in recent years, indicated after a masterful knock in the final Twenty20 that he may possibly skip the tour game to ensure he is fresh for his first and final Test of the tour.
But with the potential exception of Kohli, India are expected to give all of their stars some pink-ball match practice before the four-Test series begins.
"It'd be awesome to get that experience (of captaining against Kohli)," Carey told reporters.
"We're hoping India put their best side out there. It's a great opportunity for us to play against a high-quality Test team.
"We've got lots of players vying for Test selection around the corner ... we'll be playing to win the game."
Burns, who has scored 61 runs from seven first-class knocks this season, is expected to be retained at the top of the Test order regardless of his performance in coming days.
The Queenslander will nonetheless be desperate to pass the test posed by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami at the SCG.
"Joe is really experienced. We know how good a player he is," Carey said.
"He's a proven opening batsman over a long time.
"Joe's in great spirits ... in the nets he's hitting the ball really well, so there's a big score just around the corner."
Marcus Harris will open alongside Burns at the SCG.
Harris has a golden chance to bolster his bid for a call-up, with selectors yet to add anybody to the Test squad despite David Warner (groin) being ruled out of the series opener and Pucovski remaining an unlikely starter.
"I batted with him (Harris) in the nets last night. He's playing really, really well," Carey said.
"The way he was defending, leaving the ball, his cover drives - everything looked in really good order."
