India faces a critical encounter against Australia in the second One-Day International at Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Following a disappointing seven-wicket loss in Perth, all eyes are on veteran batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to spearhead a much-needed comeback and prevent Australia from taking an unassailable lead in the series.
The team’s reliance on all-rounders is a key factor, and the absence of Hardik Pandya has significantly impacted the team’s balance, adding pressure to the remaining players.
India’s batting lineup struggled in the opening ODI, managing a meager 136 runs amidst several rain interruptions. This total proved insufficient for their bowlers to defend. The Adelaide pitch is renowned for offering considerable bounce and lateral movement, especially during the early stages of the Australian summer, which could pose a fresh challenge for the Indian batsmen.
Meanwhile, Australia has made tactical adjustments to their squad. Matt Kuhnemann has been released, making way for the return of spinner Adam Zampa following his child’s birth. Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey also rejoins the team after fulfilling his Sheffield Shield commitments, bolstering the home side’s strength.
Under considerable pressure, particularly with Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings, Rohit Sharma showed his dedication by arriving 45 minutes early for an optional practice session at Adelaide Oval. He engaged in an extensive training session with head coach Gautam Gambhir and two specialist throw-down coaches. During this time, Rohit had to shift to an alternative net after the initial one was found to be too damp, while Virat Kohli opted for a day off after his own extended practice on Tuesday.
Bowlers Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna also had prolonged practice sessions, though their inclusion in the playing eleven remains uncertain. The team management is weighing its options between Washington Sundar’s restrictive bowling and Kuldeep Yadav’s more attacking, but potentially riskier, leg-spin options. The shorter boundaries at Adelaide Oval could make Kuldeep’s selection a tough call, as any slight error in length could prove costly.
Despite these considerations, India is expected to maintain the same playing eleven from the first ODI, banking on their established combination to turn the tide, even with alternative options available to strengthen either their batting or bowling departments.
India’s ODI Record vs. Australia at Adelaide Oval:
Historically, India has found some success at this venue, having defeated Australia in their last two encounters here. Their most recent loss at Adelaide Oval dates back to 2008.
- Matches played: 6
- Australia won: 4
- India won: 2
| Date | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 15 January 2019 | India | Beat Australia by 6 wickets |
| 12 February 2012 | India | Beat Australia by 4 wickets |
| 17 February 2008 | Australia | Beat India by 50 runs |
| 26 January 2000 | Australia | Beat India by 152 runs |
| 15 December 1991 | Australia | Beat India by 6 wickets |
| 26 January 1986 | Australia | Beat India by 36 runs |
The Indian squad for this series includes Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna.
Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh, with a squad comprising Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa.