🏏Australia vs India, 2nd Test: Adelaide, 06 - 10 Dec 2024: Day 3🏏

🏏Australia vs India, 2nd Test: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Day Night test, 06 - 10 December 2024 at 9:30 AM IST🏏

Two weeks ago, Rohit Sharma was sat on his couch at home with his newborn in his hands and watching his team dominate Australia in Perth. A couple of days in, he was on a Singapore Airlines flight bound for Perth and keeping an eye on the scores from the Test using the on-board WiFi. A day later, he stood in the tunnel at the Perth Stadium to receive his heroic teammates after they'd handed the home team one of the most comprehensive hammerings in Australian cricket history.

And here he was, 10 days on from that famous evening in the West, addressing the media on the eve of his first-ever pink-ball Test in this part of the world. Letting them in on how he spent the first few days of becoming a father for the second time. Rohit was very candid about the reasons for why he was returning to the playing XI in a different position to where we're used to seeing him bat in recent years. Along with insisting that it was a call taken for the team's sake even if it was going to be a challenge for him personally to shift back to the middle-order.

Rohit though wasn't ready to bite too deeply into any suggestions about the Australian fans having turned on their own team or the incessant criticism that's being levelled at his opponents. All the captain said was he wanted to "enjoy the current atmosphere" with a big smile on his face.

The current atmosphere in Australia, is such that it's being suggested that this upcoming Test at the Adelaide Oval is probably the most significant for this team in terms of defining their era. Must feel a bit relieved for sure, when you think about the last time Rohit faced the media at the end of the 3-0 whitewash handed out by the Kiwis.

But how important it is as a future-altering contest will eventually come down to how Australia react to the unique position they are in right having lost the last two Tests on home soil. And though the opening day's play is of course important, it's certain that it could well on this occasion have a huge bearing on not just how Australia go in the rest of the series, but also about how they're perceived by a lot of their fans. Even if Pat Cummins wasn't buying too much into all the chatter about the team's mindset and their alleged loss of intimidation.

Rohit Sharma's rather interesting weeks since the arrival of his son now culminates with a Test return in a Test that, even without all the hype around it, will have a huge bearing on the immediate, and probably even the long-term" future of this current breed of Australian Test cricketers.

India vs Australia, IND vs AUS 2nd Test Adelaide Oval Stadium Pitch Report And Adelaide Weather Forecast:

After completing a remarkable turnaround to win the 1st Test at Perth, India and Australia will lock horns once again on Friday in Adelaide, this time in a day and night affair.

The hosts who are under the pump after a shock loss in Perth to an Indian team missing regular players like Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, have an impeccable record in pink ball Tests at Adelaide having won all 7 matches they have played under lights including a famous drubbing of India in 2020/21 series where the visitors were 36 all out.

Weather forecast

According to Accuweather, rain is expected to play spoilsport during the match with the morning of the 1st day expected to be sunny and clear with the day having 2% probability of thunderstorms and as the it progresses, the probability rises to 4%.

The next 3 days have more or less pleasant weather with no chance of rain but the 5th day has 13% probability of rain throughout the day with the showers expected to come in during the afternoon but stop around the evening.

In the spotlight: Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma

Pat Cummins had a very managed build-up to the opening Test and came into the series without a four-day game under his belt, instead playing a domestic one-dayer and two ODIs. He is experienced enough to know what works for him - and the preparation was done in close coordination with coaches - but he didn't have a huge impact in Perth, even when Australia bowled India out for 150 on the first day. There is significant credit in the bank for Cummins, but in the absence of Hazlewood, this is a Test where the Australia captain will need to be at his best. "Was reasonably happy with how I bowled, felt like it came out alright," Cummins said. "Overall pretty happy with the rhythm."

There will also be plenty of focus on his opposite number. Rohit Sharma is back having missed the first Test for the birth of his second child and with him came an interesting batting debate which has seen the captain take a decision for team. Rahul and Jaiswal, who combined so successfully in the second innings in Perth with a record stand of 201, will stay at the top. There are rumblings about Rohit's form, too, with a top score of 52 in his last ten innings, while Jasprit Bumrah impressive marshalling the side in Perth has added another strand. Rohit's highest Test score in Australia, an unbeaten 63 at the MCG in 2018-19, came at No. 6.

When: December 6-10, 2024, 14:30 PM (Local Time), 15:00 PM (AEST), 09:30 AM (IST)

Where: Australia v India, 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

What to expect: It's set to be a rather warm summer here in Adelaide this year and the signs were ominous already as temperatures soared around the South Australian capital on Thursday. So much so that the Aussies had to be content with around half-hour in the net before returning to the safety of their dressing-room. A thunderstorm generally follows the muggy and suffocating heat so typical of this region. The weather is expected to clear from Day 2 onwards, and that'll add a layer of spice to this contest. The pitch itself looked green on top but what lies around the grass is what matters. Damian Hough has been in great form in terms of his pitch preparation and this could yet be his showpiece surface if he gets it right with the entire country's eyes on him.

Team News

Australia:The moment Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Test, it was only obvious that Scott Boland would come in as a straightforward like-for-like replacement. And that remains the only change for Australia from Perth, despite a lot of external opinions about dropping a few others. Even Mitchell Marsh retained his place in the side more as a specialist batter who is fit enough to deliver a few overs rather than a genuine all-rounder.

(Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

India: With Rohit revealing his decision to drop down the order, and the return of Shubman Gill after the thumb injury, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel were automatic exclusions. But it's the big expected change in the spin department, with the veteran R Ashwin getting a go for the first time this series ahead of the impressive Washington Sundar could be the biggest story from an Indian angle going into the all-important second Test.

Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Nitish Kumar Reddy, R Ashwin, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj

Stats and trivia

Australia have won all seven day-night Tests in Adelaide. The closest margin was three wickets in the first of them against New Zealand in 2015-16.

Bumrah needs one wicket to become the first bowler to reach 50 in Tests this year.

If Virat Kohli scores another Adelaide hundred he would become the first overseas batter to have four at the ground.

IND vs AUS Key Factors

Pitch Conditions

The second test between IND vs AUS will be played at the Adelaide Oval. The Ind vs Aus 2nd Test pitch at Adelaide Oval should be a good one.

A 6mm grass cover means there will be some help for the bowlers, especially the pacemen who can get bounce and movement. Spinners will get some turn early on.

As the pink ball gets older batting will get easier and we could see some big partnerships. But the new ball under lights will be tough for the batsmen.

Form and Fitness

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will return for the 2nd test against Australia. Australia will miss Josh Hazelwood who has been ruled out for this match.

Tactical Acumen

India:

India's success depends on Jasprit Bumrah who is a key player in day-night Tests and will spearhead the pace attack with an eye specifically on the twilight session when the pink ball is most menacing.

To stabilize the batting order against the unpredictable pink ball, India has moved Rohit Sharma to the middle of the lineup

Australia

Australia, unbeaten in day-night Tests at Adelaide, will rely heavily on Scott Boland to fill Josh Hazlewood’s void.

Australia's top-notch swing specialist Mitchell Starc would look to target India's top order. Nathan Lyon's off-spin would go in big time for drying runs and creating pressure.

Batting-wise, Australia must counter Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj's seam movement, particularly during the night session.

Quotes

"Any Test there's pressure, when you are down there's that little bit more, especially when you are home. But we've been in similar situations, whether it's World Cups or other series where you are in a kind of must-win situation - we aren't quite there yet. But everyone has a lot of personal pride, professional pride, so there's pressure on you any time you play from that, let alone the scoreboard being down 1-0."

Pat Cummins

IND vs AUS Match Prediction- 2nd Test, India tour of Australia 2024

IND vs AUS Score Prediction

If India bats first

India

1st Innings 260-290

2nd Innings 290-320

Australia

1st Innings 200-220

2nd Innings 270-300

If Australia bats first

Australia

1st Innings 250-280

2nd Innings 220-250

India

1st Innings 300-330

2nd Innings 200-250

Disclaimer: This is just a prediction.

IND vs AUS Key Players

IND: Yashashwi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Mohammad Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah will be key players for India.

AUS: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, Scott Boland, and Pat Cummins will be key players for Australia.

Best Batsman Prediction

Who will score the most runs for IND in the match: Yashashwi Jaiswal or Virat Kohli

Who will score the most runs for AUS in the match: Steve Smith or Travis Head

Best Bowler Prediction

Who will pick the most wickets for IND in the match: Jasprit Bumrah or Mohammad Siraj

Who will pick the most wickets for AUS in the match: Pat Cummins or Mitchell Starc

Conclusion - Who will win the match?

India looks more a stronger side as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are likely to be slotted in and can get the job done against Australia who are missing Josh Hazelwood.