Puducherry, Sept. 21 -- It is for the second time in 12 months that an Australia A team is touring India in preparation for the high-profile five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series starting in January next year, and coach Tim Paine says this experience "is really important for the next generation."

A strong Australia A line-up will play two four-day red ball matches against Devdutt Padikkal-led India A at the CAP-Siechem Stadium in the coastal city of Puducherry starting Tuesday, followed by three One-Dayers, as per a release.

"It's very important. Obviously, we've had this planned for a couple of years with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy coming up soon, so to give the next generation of cricketers a look at conditions in India, see what it...