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India's batting lineup and Australia's form under spotlight in pink-ball clash
India's batting lineup and Australia's form under spotlight in pink-ball clash
The Adelaide match will be KL Rahul's first appearance in a pink-ball Test.
If India wins again, Australia would face a near-impossible task: only once in Test history has a team come back from 2-0 down to win a five-match series—Australia in 1936-37 under Don Bradman. England came close to achieving this last year, but rain in Manchester stopped them.
If Australia wins in Adelaide, where they’ve never lost a pink-ball Test, the series will be tied 1-1 with three matches to go, setting up an exciting contest ahead.
Despite India’s dominant 295-run win in the first Test, there are still some uncertainties. India were bowled out for just 36 in their last pink-ball Test in Adelaide (though that collapse happened during the day), and their most recent day-night Test was in 2022. Even KL Rahul, a seasoned player, admitted the pink ball poses unique challenges. Interestingly, this will be his first pink-ball Test.
India’s lineup will also change with the return of captain Rohit Sharma and opener Shubman Gill, which means adjustments to the batting order. There’s also debate about the bowling, especially since R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, with over 850 Test wickets between them, were demoted in the last game. However, India’s depth gives them strong options.
Australia, on the other hand, face challenges too. Josh Hazlewood is out with an injury, though Scott Boland would be his replacement. There are also concerns about their batting performance and how much bowling Mitchell Marsh can handle.
Despite the big loss in Perth, Australia has stayed calm, which hasn’t sat well with everyone. If they don’t turn things around in Adelaide, though, that approach will come under fire. The strong reaction to their defeat shows just how high the expectations are for them on home soil. This Test is critical for them.
Spotlights will be on Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma
Pat Cummins had a carefully managed lead-up to the first Test, playing a domestic one-day game and two ODIs instead of a four-day match. While his preparation was planned closely with the coaches, he didn’t make a major impact in Perth, even when Australia bowled India out for 150 on the first day. Cummins has built up plenty of trust over time, but with Hazlewood out, this Test will require him to be at his very best. Reflecting on his performance, Cummins said, “I was reasonably happy with how I bowled. Felt like it came out alright. Overall, pretty happy with the rhythm.”
The eyes will be on Rohit Sharma as he returns after missing the first Test for the birth of his second child. His comeback has uplifted the discussions of India’s batting lineup. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who put together a record 201-run partnership in the second innings in Perth, are expected to keep their spots as openers. This means Rohit might move to the middle order.
There are also concerns about Rohit’s form, as he hasn’t scored more than 52 in his last ten innings. His highest Test score in Australia is an unbeaten 63, which he made batting at No. 6 during the 2018-19 series. Jasprit Bumrah’s impressive leadership in Perth has added another layer to the conversation.
Team news: One change in Australian team, now wait for India
Scott Boland replaces the injured Josh Hazlewood as Australia’s only change for this Test. This will be Boland’s first home Test in two years, having not played last season. He has a strong record in day-night matches, with seven wickets at an impressive average of 13.71 from two games.
Australia's XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
India’s final plans are still not clear as captain Rohit Sharma is expected to speak later on Thursday. Meanwhile, KL Rahul mentioned that he knows his batting position but has been asked not to reveal it. Shubman Gill is likely to return at No. 3, while Washington Sundar’s might be at the edge over R Ashwin, despite Ashwin’s strong record in Adelaide. Allrounder Nitesh Kumar Reddy is also expected to keep his spot in the lineup.
Possible XI India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Washington Sundar, Nitesh Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
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