India will face Australia in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide this Friday, a Pink-ball Test. Despite winning the first Test by a commanding 295 runs, India is entering the match with some uncertainties. In their last day-night Test in Adelaide in 2020, India was bowled out for just 36 runs.
India will welcome back Captain Rohit Sharma and opener Shubman Gill, with Gill recovering from an injury sustained during the first Test and Rohit returning from a break. Rohit confirmed that KL Rahul will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, who impressed with a brilliant 161 in the first Test. Rahul’s 77 in the second innings, combined with Jaiswal’s innings, resulted in a solid 201-run opening stand in Perth.
In a pre-match press conference, Rohit expressed confidence in Rahul’s opening position, citing his strong performance abroad. He acknowledged that the decision was challenging for him personally but logical for the team’s success: “We want results, we want success, and those two guys at the top just looking at this one Test match, they batted brilliantly… KL batted, it was brilliant to watch… Based on what KL has shown outside of India, he probably deserves that place at this point in time… So it was actually pretty simple for me, but personally not easy but for the team. Yeah, it made a lot of sense.” Rohit confirmed that he would bat in the middle order.
Australia’s lineup also faces changes due to Josh Hazlewood’s side injury, with Scott Boland replacing him. Mitchell Marsh’s bowling workload is a concern, but he is expected to bowl in Adelaide. Despite a mixed run, with two losses in their last five Tests, Australia is confident, particularly with captain Pat Cummins, who has had limited game time leading up to the series. Cummins was upbeat about his form: “Was reasonably happy with how I bowled, felt like it came out alright… Overall pretty happy with the rhythm.”
Rohit’s return adds an interesting dynamic, with questions surrounding his recent form and a top score of just 52 in his last ten innings. Australia’s line-up also includes Boland, who replaces Hazlewood. He is returning for his first home Test in two years and has an impressive record in day-night Tests, with seven wickets at an average of 13.71 from two matches.
India’s batting lineup is likely to feature Gill at No. 3, Virat Kohli at No. 4, and Rohit at No. 5, ahead of Rishabh Pant. Washington Sundar may be preferred over Ravichandran Ashwin despite Ashwin’s solid record in Adelaide. Nitesh Kumar Reddy is expected to retain his place in the team.
The match promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams navigate their respective challenges in the series.
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
India probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Nitesh Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
