Stakes could not get any higher as Australia and India square up for the second Test in Adelaide with the series precariously placed after India romped to a 295-run crushing win with the narrative just beginning in Perth.
India would be one win away from making an absolute statement in the series. Another win for India would put the visitors on the brink of a historic series win, while Australia must regroup quickly to avoid going 2-0 down
Australia are imperious at home under lights, and the pink-ball record in Adelaide will be a formidable place to fall on.
However, their problems are great; including the absence of Josh Hazlewood due to injury and the underwhelming form of their top order. Mitchell Marsh is expected to contribute with the ball.
India come into the game with confidence but with a lot of doubts surrounding their pink-ball performances after collapsing 36 runs in their last night-day Test here
IND vs AUS Match Preview- 2nd Test, India tour of Australia 2024
IND vs AUS 2nd Test Date and Venue
The 2nd India vs Australia Test will be taking place on Friday (December 06) at the Adelaide Oval. The game is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM IST and 2:30 PM local time.
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Squads:
India
Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian team in the 2nd game of Ind vs Aus.
IND Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (Wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rishabh Pant (Wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.
Australia
Pat Cummins will be leading Australia in the 2nd game.
AUS Squad: Pat Cummins (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (Wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (Wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
IND vs AUS Key Battles
Rohit Sharma vs Nathan Lyon
Rohit Sharma, back to captain India will have a key matchup against Australia’s most experienced spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Lyon, with 532 Test wickets, is comfortable bowling on the Adelaide pitch with its sharp, bouncing turn.
Sharma will have the task of leading the middle order against Lyon’s genius in pink-ball cricket.
Mitchell Starc vs Yashasvi Jaiswal
Starc, Australia’s pink-ball specialist with 66 wickets in day-night Tests, will test Jaiswal’s technique.
The new opening batsman, who excelled in Perth, is now on trial for the first time under the pink-ball Test, where Starc’s seam and pace in the low light can be a death trap.
Jasprit Bumrah vs Steven Smith
Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead, brings unrelenting precision and movement, making him a nightmare for Steven Smith, who struggled in Perth.
Having scored just 17 runs in the first Test, Bumrah will attempt to capitalize on Smith’s slump in form.
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.
IND vs AUS Weather And Pitch Report
Adelaide promises pleasant cricketing weather for the IND vs AUS Test match. Daytime highs will hover in the 76°F-89°F range with minimal rain, although there is a slight chance of showers on the last day.
Sunny intervals and moderate winds will prevail, with good conditions for cricket overall.
Adelaide’s pitches are usually pretty bat-friendly, with even bounce and decent early pace. Yet the longer the game, spin comes into play as support comes from the dry patch of the surface