Australia vs India 2nd Test Tips - Will Australia get some pink ball relief in Adelaide?

By Nikhil Kalro

04 Dec 2024

Nikhil Kalro 04 Dec 2024

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India leads the series 1-0 after a spectacular comeback in Perth
Australia's top order struggles, questions remain on Labuschagne's form
Key player changes include Rohit Sharma's return and Scott Boland for Australia

Virat Kohli (Getty Images)

Australia vs India Second Test Preview

India completed a stunning come-from-behind victory in the first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Perth to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Australia vs India Second Test Preview
Australia Form
Australia Team News
India Form
India Team News

India were first bowled out for 150 in the first day before the visitors came bouncing back to have Australia on the mat at 67 for 7 at stumps on the opening day. Jasprit Bumrah led India from the front with figures of 5 for 30 to bowl Australia out for 101 on a tricky batting surface.

Centuries in the second innings from Yashasvi Jaiswal (161 off 297) and Virat Kohli (100 off 143 balls) carried India to 487 for 6 before the visitors declared their innings to set Australia a target of 534.

Australia showed some fight in the second innings, led by Travis Head’s 89 but India comfortably completed a win by 295 runs.

The questions around Australia’s top order remain, particularly for Marnus Labuschagne, who has averaged just over 20 this year.

Australia Form

Australia were rocked in the first Test but there aren’t too many concerns in the set-up yet. In both innings, Australia’s top order, consisting of Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith and Labuschagne, combined to score just 44 runs.

Under the night lights of Adelaide with a pink ball, all eyes remain on Australia’s batting to pull themselves out of this slump.

"It's quite a big reaction externally for one Test loss. Internally, we don't feel that. We didn't play the way we would have liked to have played, but we know over four, five Test matches, we keep rocking up and playing our style at cricket we will have the success,” Australia’s wicketkeeper Alex Carey said.

Australia Team News

Australia have to make one change with Josh Hazelwood ruled out. Scott Boland is likely to take his place.

There are some concerns around the bowling workload of Mitchell Marsh as allrounder Beau Webster was added to Australia’s squad as cover.

India Form

The situation in India’s camp remains promising, particularly after the return to form for Virat Kohli, who scored his 81st international century in Perth.

Bumrah led India’s bowling attack with aplomb but there could be some gaps with the third and fourth bowling options for India heading to Adelaide.

India Team News

Rohit Sharma will return to lead India for the second Test but he could move down the order after openers Jaiswal and KL Rahul performed admirably in the first Test.

Shubman Gill also returned to the squad after his injury. He scored a brisk 50 off 62 balls in the warm-up match against the PM XI with the pink ball.

India may also bring back Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Washington Sundar for Adelaide.

Verdict

Australia v India 2nd Test

Australia are a proud team at home, particularly in Test cricket. There are concerns around the team’s batting form, which are unlikely to be resolved in tough batting conditions in Adelaide.

However, Australia’s bowling attack will be comforted by the prospect of bowling with the pink ball against a team that has often proven to falter in tricky conditions. Australia should come bouncing back to level the series in Adelaide.

Australian Win

Match Result

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