India vs Australia: Preview of the 2nd Test at Adelaide Oval

1. India’s Momentum After Perth Victory:

• India leads the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-0 after a dominant 295-run victory in the first Test in Perth.
• Key Changes in India’s Squad:
  • Rohit Sharma returns after missing the first Test for the birth of his second child.
  • Shubman Gill is back after recovering from a thumb injury.
  • Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel are dropped, with Washington Sundar also missing out.

2. Batting Lineup Adjustments:

• KL Rahul will open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.
• Rohit Sharma will bat in the middle order.
• India’s batting is bolstered by Virat Kohli, who returned to form with a century in the first Test.

3. Australia’s Squad Changes:

• Scott Boland replaces the injured Josh Hazlewood in the Australian squad.
• Australia’s bowling attack will rely heavily on Nathan Lyon, who has an excellent record at Adelaide Oval.
• Mitchell Marsh’s fitness is a concern, but Nathan Lyon expects him to bowl in the second Test.

4. Key Players and Milestones:

• Jasprit Bumrah is just 10 wickets away from 50 Test wickets against Australia.
• Virat Kohli is eyeing his 10th Test century against Australia, having surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record of six centuries in Australia.
• Steve Smith also targets his 10th century against India.
• Shubman Gill is 56 runs away from 500 Test runs against Australia.
• Ravichandran Ashwin is just 14 wickets away from reaching 550 Test wickets.

5. Adelaide Oval: A Spin-Friendly Venue

• Adelaide Oval has a reputation for assisting spinners, and Nathan Lyon is expected to play a key role.
• The pink ball, which has a unique behavior under lights, will add an extra challenge for both batsmen and bowlers.
• Both teams’ spinners, including India’s Ravindra Jadeja, will be pivotal in this match.

6. Australia’s Pressure to Bounce Back:

• After the heavy defeat in Perth, Australia will look to bounce back at their home venue.
• The Adelaide Oval has been a fortress for Australia, with an unbeaten record in seven day-night Tests.
• Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will need to step up after a disappointing performance in the first Test.

7. The Pink Ball Challenge:

• The day-night Test brings its own set of challenges, with the pink ball behaving differently compared to the traditional red ball.
• Both teams will have to adapt to the conditions, especially during the twilight hours when the ball can move more.

8. The Series Context:

• India’s commanding win in the first Test has given them the advantage, but Australia has the home conditions in their favor.
• The second Test at Adelaide Oval will be crucial for Australia to level the series, while India will look to extend their lead.

Conclusion:

• The second Test at Adelaide promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams fielding strong lineups and key players closing in on significant milestones.
• The spinners are expected to play a major role, and the pink ball conditions will make this a thrilling encounter.
• With Australia’s pride on the line and India looking to build on their success, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set for another unforgettable chapter.