Adelaide pink ball test starts on 6th December 2024. Both teams had few rest days and are back in nets for training. Rohit Sharma , Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja who did not play first game, participated in IND vs PM XI pink ball game in Canberra on 1st December 2024. The game was reduced to one day because of rain washout on 30th November 2024.
Aussies looked pretty rusty and flat during first test in Perth stadium which India won comprehensively. They have copped quite a bit of criticism of not preparing enough for red ball cricket this Summer. It was probably the most Un Australian test cricket performance in decades against a visiting subcontinent team. They were outclassed in bowling by Jasprit Bumra, batting looked shaky, body language looked flat , and relying on Marnus labuschagne to bowl a short pitch deliveries spell was one of the lowest of the match in my opinion. Aussies will be itching to equalize the series by a win in Adelaide and go to Gabba with 1-1 score. But it will not be easy task by any stretch.
Indian team is full of confidence and belief after taking the 1-0 lead in Perth which was thought to be one of the toughest games of the series for them. Jasprit Bumra is unplayable and he is expected to deliver same with pink ball. He has been very well supported by Muhammad Siraj and Harshit Rana. Batting line up is pretty sorted with Jaiswal’s incredible start of series and Virat Kohli special 100. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are likely to make return and we will expect few changes by Indian team for Adelaide test.
Team Comparison and stats:
INDIA: Overall, India’s winning record at Adelaide oval is not the best. So far , they have played 13 tests in total , won two , lost eight and drew three. Another reality check for India will be 36 all out innings back in December 2020.
AUSTRALIA: On the other hand Australia has a great record in pink ball tests. They have won 11 out of 12 pink ball tests played. The only pink ball test defeat was against WI earlier this year. Australia has won all 7 pink ball tests played at Adelaide Oval so far and this will be their second pink ball test against INDIA at Adelaide Oval.
With above comparison, and given the situation of the series so far, Adelaide test is probably the most important game of series. If India makes it 2-0 , they will be extremely happy and will look to continue their winning streak and convert into series win. It will be extremely difficult for Australia to come back from 2-0 if that situation arises. Australia will want to do their very best to avoid such situation. They will want to go to Gabba with 1-1 score and keep their hopes alive in the series.
