India goes into the Adelaide Test chasing one more history. Australia have never lost a day-night game at The Adelaide. The only day-night Test that they lost to the West Indies, was at the Gabba. At Adelaide, however, they have been nearly unbeatable. Many a teams, including India, have found Adelaide tough to crack. Adelaide used to be a batting track where the games would last all the 5 days but eversince the introduction of the pink-ball and day-night cricket, it has been anything but. Tests have finished inside 4 days and in the last series, India was bowled out for a paltry 36 which saw the game complete in 3 days. The task for India is quite straightforward. They will be chasing one more history.
A couple of weeks ago, India overcame poor confidence, loss of form and humiliation to create history at Perth, becoming the first team to defeat Australia at The Optus stadium. Back in 2021, the team created another history by becoming the first team to defeat Australia at The Gabba in 36 years and thereby win the series. It was followed by a history making win at The Centurion. Does this Indian team have it in them to create one more history?
With the arrival of Rohit Sharma and the recovery of Shubman Gill, India will be bolstered in their batting. Both of them will replace Padikkal and Jurel in the squad. Jurel is unfortunate because he was the one batsman who looked solid against Australia A but Rohti being the captain, cannot be made to sit out. Especially, after Jurel’s twin low scores at Perth. Nonetheless, he does have a bright future. Perhaps, he could be the captain after Rohit retires?
Who starts as the favourite?
Just based on their record, Australia starts this game as the favourites. Whenever talk of Adelaide and day-night Test is in the air, Australia always show up for the contest. The Australian bowlers gain an extra step of potency at Adelaide and they are full of confidence. There are reports of nervousness within the Australian camp but be that as it may, they are at their best when such things are in the dressing room. Shane Warne and Steve Waugh, Shane Warne and Gilchrist. That never stopped them from giving more than 100% on the field. This Australian outfit is not different. Moreover, a wounded Australian side is even more dangerous.
Hazlewood is out with an injury but that does not make their attack less potent. Scott Boland will bolster the attack and he has a stellar record at Adelaide. India will do well to consider him as dangerous as Hazlewood. Just beause Hazlewood is not part of the game, they cannot afford to take the Test less lightly. Boland is equally if not more, dangerous. Having said that, India must not be too much perturbed with Boland’s record. Records are meant to be broken. Let him do his best, Indian batsmen must show that they are up for the task.
Apart from this change, I don’t see Australia making any other change. There are clouds over Mitchell Marsh’s fitness and the debut of McSweeney. Reports have emerged that Marsh will be bowling a lot more than he did at Perth. With the next Test at the Gabba starting within 4 days, his adaptability and perseverance will be severely tested.
The Indian composition
Rohit Sharma will probably drop down to the middle order. Though he batted at number 4 in the pink ball practice game, Kohli is unlikely to be shifted from his position. Ideally, with his experience of handling the new ball, Rohit will be better suited to bat at number 6 after Pant. He will be in a position to handle the second new ball but India will hope that Rohit is not at the wicket at the introduction of the second new ball and that he is yet to come in. If that is the case, it only means that India are in a decent position.
With Rohit down the order, it leaves the opening pair of Jaiswal and Rahul undisturbed. It will also give the Indians a psychological edge because Australia will be wary of the opening pair, particularly, Jaiswal. He showed his calibre in the first Test. He definitely would want to continue with that. If he could negotiate the first 10-15 overs, it will be his day. Rahul on the otherhand, adjusted pretty well to the demands of Australian conditions. It makes sense to keep them opening.
The spinner
I think the only point of contention will be the role of the spinner. Will it be Ashwin or will it be Jadeja? Or will the Indian team management be happy to continue with Sundar? Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana have secured their spots. I do not think that Prasidh Krishna or Akash Deep are in contention. As for the spinner, I would like to reiterate that Sundar is a batsman who can bowl if required. Jadeja’s meagre returns with the bat over the last year goes against him and Ashwin reliability as a batsman is to be questioned because of his inconsistency. I am sure post retirement, Ashwin will ponder the missed opportunity as a batsman. How much he could have contributed with the bat. That is a story for another day.
India will be advised to continue with Sundar because he is a better batsman than Jadeja and Ashwin and he could also pick up some wickets. The only reason for Ashwin to play is because the last time around, he bowled beautifully at Adelaide. Perhaps, the best he has bowled in Australia. However, given his inconsistency with the bat, India cannot afford a pure bowler at number 7 or 8.
Wrapping up the Adelaide Test
A win at Adelaide will increase the confidence of the Indians manifold that they can dream of a series win. Something that seemed impossible 4 weeks ago. They must ensure that Australians are not given any sort of confidence.
BGT blogs
https://icricketcritique.com/the-border-gavaskar-series/
https://icricketcritique.com/australia-clearly-is-the-favourite/
https://icricketcritique.com/series-between-unequal/
https://icricketcritique.com/so-the-perth-test/
https://icricketcritique.com/indias-likely-playing-eleven/
https://icricketcritique.com/why-protect-kohli/
https://icricketcritique.com/a-thorough-display/
https://icricketcritique.com/the-australian-team-is-in-disarray/
https://icricketcritique.com/some-interesting-pointers/