ADELAIDE, Dec 5: India enter the second Test at the Adelaide Oval brimming with confidence, aiming to tighten their grip on the series after a commanding 295-run victory in Perth.
Leading 1-0 in the five-match series, another win under lights would put India on the brink of a historic triumph while leaving Australia facing a near-impossible comeback.
India have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic. Captain Rohit Sharma returns to bolster the middle order, with the in-form KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal continuing their partnership at the top.
Shubman Gill will slot in at No. 3, and Virat Kohli, who has a chance to become the first overseas batsman to score four centuries at the Adelaide Oval, remains a key figure at No. 4.
On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah leads the charge and is just one wicket away from becoming the first bowler to claim 50 Test dismissals in 2024. Supported by Mohammed Siraj and a well-rounded attack, India’s depth and flexibility pose a formidable challenge for the hosts.
Australia, trailing 1-0, face mounting pressure to avoid a rare and daunting 2-0 deficit, a comeback achieved only once in Test history by Don Bradman’s 1936-37 team. However, their flawless record in pink-ball Tests at Adelaide-seven wins from seven matches-offers hope for a revival.
The hosts have made one change to their side, with Scott Boland replacing the injured Josh Hazlewood. Boland, playing his first home Test in two years, will support skipper Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the bowling attack. Cummins, who had a quiet outing in Perth, faces scrutiny to lead from the front in Hazlewood’s absence.
Australia’s batting, however, remains a concern. Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith, the linchpins of the line-up, will need to deliver after underwhelming performances in the first Test.
The Adelaide pitch, with 6mm of grass, is expected to favour seamers under lights while offering opportunities for spinners as the match progresses. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the first two days, though the weather is expected to clear later.
India’s last pink-ball Test at Adelaide, where they were infamously bowled out for 36 in 2020, lingers in memory, but their dominant form in Perth suggests they are well-prepared to banish that history.
“Adelaide presents a unique challenge, but we have the depth and flexibility to adapt,” said India captain Rohit.
“There’s always pressure in Test cricket, especially at home. Being 1-0 down adds to it, but we are an experienced team and know how to respond,” said Cummins.
Squads
Imdia: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (capt), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Nitesh Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
(UNI)
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