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After a shocking 295-run defeat in the first Test, Australia will face a resurgent India in the second Test of the five-match series at the iconic Adelaide Oval on December 6, 2024. This day-night pink-ball Test comes with immense pressure on the hosts to bounce back against an Indian team brimming with confidence after their historic win at Perth.
Australia have a formidable record in pink-ball Tests but are up against a focused Indian team led by the in-form Jasprit Bumrah, who wreaked havoc in the first game. With both teams vying for dominance, the stage is set for an electrifying encounter under lights in Adelaide.
Match Details
- Event: India tour of Australia, 2024-25
- Fixture: 2nd Test Match
- Date: December 6–10, 2024
- Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- Start Time: 9:30 AM IST
Teams Preview
Australia Preview
Australia face an uphill task as they aim to recover from a massive defeat in the series opener. Despite their strong bowling lineup, the batting woes have persisted throughout 2024. The top four Australian batters managed just 29 runs across eight innings in the first Test, raising serious concerns about their form and confidence.
Captain Pat Cummins will rely heavily on Steven Smith and Travis Head to anchor the batting. Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey offer some depth, but the top order needs to fire for Australia to compete. The bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, remain a potent force, especially under lights with the pink ball.
Australia’s Key Players:
- Steven Smith: Needs to play a match-defining knock to stabilize the batting order.
- Mitchell Starc: A proven performer in pink-ball Tests, his ability to swing the ball late will be critical.
- Travis Head: Inconsistent but capable of turning games with his aggressive stroke play.
Australia Predicted Playing XI:
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 Preview
India entered the series as underdogs but silenced critics with a dominating performance in Perth. Their bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, exposed Australia’s frail batting lineup, while the batters came together in the second innings to take the game away.
Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah was sensational, picking up 5-wicket hauls in both innings and earning the Player of the Match award. The batting lineup, despite missing key players like Rohit Sharma, saw Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli shine with brilliant centuries.
India’s bowling attack, comprising Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and young Harshit Rana, will relish the conditions at Adelaide, where the pink ball offers movement under lights.
India’s Key Players:
- Jasprit Bumrah: His ability to swing the pink ball both ways will keep Australia on their toes.
- Virat Kohli: Loves the Adelaide Oval, having scored multiple centuries here. His experience will be invaluable.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: The youngster’s maiden century at Perth has cemented his spot as a key contributor at the top.
India Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Key Players to Watch
| Australia | India |
|---|---|
| Steven Smith | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Mitchell Starc | Virat Kohli |
| Travis Head | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report
The Adelaide Oval offers a batting-friendly surface early on, but the pink ball brings the fast bowlers into play under lights. Seam and swing dominate during the twilight hours, making it a challenging venue for batters, especially in the second and third sessions.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 350
- Bowler-Friendly Conditions: New ball and twilight sessions offer the most help.
Toss Prediction: Bat first. Teams batting first at Adelaide have won 40 of the 63 Test matches with outright results.
Weather Conditions
- Day 1: Morning thunderstorms expected, but clear skies in the evening.
- Temperature: 22°C to 30°C.
- Rain Probability: Low after Day 1.
- Wind Speed: 10-15 km/h.
Fantasy Team XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Batsmen | Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Travis Head |
| All-rounders | Mitchell Marsh, Washington Sundar |
| Bowlers | Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj |
| Wicketkeeper | Alex Carey |
Winning Prediction
India’s confidence after their Perth win and Australia’s batting woes tilt the balance toward the visitors. Australia’s formidable pink-ball record will be tested against a fiery Indian bowling attack led by Bumrah. If India maintain their discipline, they can break Australia’s pink-ball dominance at Adelaide.
Prediction: India to win
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