India’s strategy, heavily banking on its all-rounders, faces a stern test against a determined Australian side in the second One-Day International. All eyes will be fixed on cricketing stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are under immense pressure to deliver match-winning performances and turn the tide in this critical series clash on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
The first match of this three-game series was a disheartening experience for India. Frequent interruptions in Perth disrupted their batting rhythm, culminating in a seven-wicket defeat that left much to be desired.
While the bowling attack struggled to make an impact, it’s worth noting that bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel were left with a meager target of just 136 runs to defend, making their task incredibly difficult.
Expect similar challenges at the Adelaide Oval, where Australian pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are poised to unleash their relentless attack, consistently targeting the batsmen’s ‘corridor of uncertainty’.
As the Australian summer begins, fresh pitches will offer considerable bounce and lateral movement, creating conditions designed to test even the most accomplished batsmen.
Australia, on the other hand, will see the return of experienced leg-spinner Adam Zampa, back from paternity leave, and a fit-again Alex Carey, who was previously engaged in a Sheffield Shield match. This comes after last game’s left-arm spin hero, Matt Kuhnemann, was released from the squad.
Rohit Sharma’s Intense Net Session with Coach Gautam Gambhir
The pressure on Rohit Sharma to perform is palpable, especially with a promising talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting for an opportunity. The former captain was seen arriving at the Adelaide Oval practice nets a full 45 minutes ahead of his teammates for an optional session, signaling his determination.
Notably, head coach Gautam Gambhir was the sole coaching staff member present, accompanied by throw-down specialists Dayanand Garani and Raghavendra, while other coaches joined later.
Initially, Rohit began his session on a damp net where the throw-downs were exceptionally bouncy.
Recognizing the potential risk to the veteran player, Coach Gambhir quickly moved him to a different net, where Rohit had an extensive batting practice. Throughout the session, Gambhir’s focus remained entirely on Rohit’s performance.
In contrast to Rohit’s intense focus, Virat Kohli opted for a day off following his own prolonged net session on Tuesday, October 21. Despite his renowned intensity, Kohli has appeared remarkably relaxed during this tour, frequently engaging with fans for autographs and selfies.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak expressed confidence on the eve of the second ODI, stating, “They both appear to be in excellent form. Their batting was superb yesterday, and their approach in every net session has been exemplary. Honestly, I believe they are batting exceptionally well.”
The All-Rounder Dilemma: Multi-Skilled or Just Filling Gaps?
Hardik Pandya’s absence consistently impacts the balance of India’s white-ball squad, a void keenly felt in Australia where his pace bowling, capable of hitting 140 km/h, is sorely missed.
The effectiveness of Coach Gambhir’s strategy, which involves extending the batting line-up down to number 8 with players like Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy, will be thoroughly assessed by the end of this series.
Kotak acknowledged Pandya’s importance, stating, “A player like Hardik is always a significant loss. However, looking at the positive aspect, Nitish is gaining valuable game time, and we are actively working to develop him for that role.”
He further emphasized, “Every team requires a versatile all-rounder, and we are striving to cultivate him into that position. In that regard, it serves as beneficial preparation. But undoubtedly, any team would keenly feel the absence of a player of Hardik’s caliber.”
For the current team management, Nitish Kumar Reddy (NKR) represents a crucial developmental project that they are determined to guide successfully.
During practice, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna, both boasting superior primary bowling skills compared to Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana, put in strenuous efforts at the nets.
However, it’s often observed that players who put in extra hours before a match don’t always secure a spot in the playing XI. Nevertheless, Kuldeep’s wicket-taking ability and Prasidh’s added bounce and pace present compelling cases for their inclusion.
There’s a strong possibility that India will opt for an unchanged playing XI in the upcoming second match.
Nonetheless, considering Kuldeep as a more aggressive bowling alternative to Washington, who is primarily a restrictive bowler, is a tactical decision India should weigh. The shorter side boundaries at Adelaide Oval, however, might pose a challenge for the wrist-spinner.
A slight error in length could see Kuldeep punished square of the wicket, yet his ability to ‘buy’ crucial wickets is a dimension that Washington currently lacks.
Full Squads:
India: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM IST.