Who Will Win the 2nd Test? Predicted Playing XI for Adelaide Pink-Ball Test

The second Test of the thrilling five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia kicks off on December 6 at the iconic Adelaide Oval. As a pink-ball Test, the game is set to bring unique challenges, particularly during the twilight hours when the ball tends to swing more, adding intrigue to this crucial clash.

Both teams are expected to make lineup adjustments to tackle the conditions. While Australia is likely to tweak their side with one change, Team India could introduce two new faces to strengthen their playing XI. Here's everything you need to know about the predicted playing XI and what could decide who will win the 2nd Test match at the Adelaide Oval. Stay tuned as we dive into the likely XI for the Adelaide Test and analyze how each team stacks up under the lights.

Prior to the build-up to the second BGT Test, Australia received a shocking blow as right-arm quick bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out on Saturday due to what's described as a low-grade left-side injury. The pacer who took five wickets in Australia's colossal 295-run defeat in Perth will not take part in the upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide starting on December 6. 

However, the 33-year-old will remain under the close supervision of the medical staff and will still continue to be a part of the squad in Adelaide to prepare for the remainder of the series.  

See also: Who is Beau Webster? The latest inclusion in Australian Test squad

JUST IN: Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the second #AUSvIND Test with uncapped duo called up. Full details 👇https://t.co/ZHrw3TUO8a

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 30, 2024

Uncapped quicks Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett make an entry to the squad

Hazlewood's injury has compelled Cricket Australia to rope in two uncapped seamers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett into the squad as a cover. Abbott while being handy with the bat averages nearly 30 with the ball in FC cricket and currently holds best figures of 8/63 in this format. The NSW fast-bowling all-rounder featured in six ODIs against India in which he claimed seven wickets. 

The Queensland-born Brendan Doggett is yet to make his international debut for Australia but has been actively performing well in the domestic circuit for quite some time now. The 30-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder has claimed 142 wickets across 40 FC games which includes his career-best figures of 7/58 whilst maintaining a formidable average of 28.63.

Opportunity for Scotty Boland to make an impact

The injury to Hazlewood has opened the doors for Scott Boland. The right-arm speedster from Melbourne has an outstanding record against India in Test cricket and his exploits with the ball in the WTC Final are still fresh in the memories of several ardent fans to this day. 

The 35-year-old has represented Australia in 10 Tests and has picked up 35 wickets at a stellar average of 20.34, Experts suggest that Boland could get a call-up ahead of Abbott and Doggett for the second Test solely due to his experience.

After being already 0-1 down in the series, Hazlewood's injury was the last thing the home side would have wished for. He was at his destructive best in the earlier pink-ball Test match in the 2020-21 BGT series where his figures of 5/8 in the second innings floored India for a record-low of 36. 

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has departed for India and will not be present with the Indian team when it takes on Prime Minister's XI in Canberra in a two-day tour game on November 30. Gambhir is expected to be away due to personal reasons. 

However, more recently, a BCCI spokesperson revealed that the 43-year-old is expected to be back well in time before the start of the second Test in Adelaide which will be a D/N Test match. The Canberra tour game will be played during the day but with a pink ball in a bid to acclimatize to conditions presented in a day/night Test. 

Who will take charge in Gambhir's absence? 

While Gambhir is away for personal reasons, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel will collectively be in charge of the Indian squad. 

India managed to make a stunning comeback after a humiliating series whitewash at home by thumping Australia by a mammoth 295 runs in the Pert Test. The mood in the camp is certainly positive after that win and with the inclusion of Rohit Sharma, India's lineup is only going to be strengthened a lot further. 

What will happen to the team composition if Gill becomes fit?

Gill was excluded from the first Test due to a fractured thumb. With a little under 10 days to go for the second Test, Gill still has ample time to recover from his injury. 

Should he become fit for the Adelaide Test, India will then have to free up two spaces in the batting lineup in order to accommodate him. There is no major update on Gill's fitness at the moment but the 25-year-old is highly unlikely to feature in the upcoming two-day tour game in Canberra. 

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Team India ended Day 2 on a score of 172/0 with a healthy lead of 218 runs. The Indian Openers set a record-breaking partnership, ending their day with Yashasvi Jaiswal on 90*(193) and KL Rahul on 62*(153). It was the first 150+ opening stand by a visiting team in Australia since 159 by Andrew Strauss & Alastair Cook at the MCG in 2010 and the first outside Ashes Tests since 191 by Sunil Gavaskar & Kris Srikkanth at the SCG in 1986.

Indian batters dominate Day 2 with a mammoth opening stand

Indian bowlers were able to restrict Australia to 104 on Day 2 Morning as Skipper Jasprit Bumrah led the charge with his 5-fer. Team India got the lead of 46 runs and then it was the batters' responsibility to add more runs to this tally. Both openers looked comfortable and played Australia's bowlers in afternoon and evening sessions. Team India now leads by 218 runs and will look to add as much as tomorrow to set hosts the target.

See Also:- Watch: Jaiswal hits back at Starc saying "You are coming too slow at me"

Yashasvi Jaiswal wasn't able to trouble the scores in the first innings as he was dismissed by Mitchell Starc for 0(8). But in this inning, he made his comeback in style. Jaiswal is currently batting on an unbeaten 90 of 193 balls. He also set another record for hitting the Most Sixes in Test Cricket. He has hit 33 Sixes in Tests in 2024 so far.

Meanwhile, his partner KL Rahul who looked promising in the first innings as well after being dismissed by a controversial decision. He continued that and is currently unbeaten on 62 off 153 balls. Both batters made Australian bowlers toil for the wicket. Team India was dominant through all three sessions today.

Mitchell Starc tests Indian bowlers to take hosts to a tally of 104

Earlier Team India began the day with the wicket of Alex Carey after being caught behind by Pant off Jasprit Bumrah. It was his 5th wicket and he equaled the tally of 9 five-fors outside Asia with Kapil Dev. 5 for Bumrah's bowling figures in Perth are the best by an Indian captain in men's Tests since Kapil Dev's 8 for 106 against Australia in the 1985 Adelaide Test. Bumrah is also the first Indian captain with a five-wicket haul in Test cricket since Anil Kumble in the 2007 Melbourne Test.

Debutant Harshit Rana cleared up Nathan Lyon and much-awaited wicket Mitchell Starc to restrict the hosts to 104. He recorded his figures as 3-48. Australia's first-innings total of 104 in Perth is their second-lowest in home Tests against India, after the 83 all-out in Melbourne in 1981. Mitchell Starc scored 26 off 112 balls and tested the Indian pacers' patience level.

In the ecosystem of intense cricket rivals, the India vs Australia clash, a.k.a, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has always aroused a sense of anticipation for a fierce game amongst many cricket fanatics. Hailed as one of the best vs. best series, the tournament has provided some wholesome cricketing action and moments meant to be remembered for the coming ages of the sport.

One such aspect would be the batters who did the trick with their willows and struck memorable batting performances, making it a treat to the eye. That said, amongst many from the list, here's a list of the top five batting innings from the Indian roster that has defined a whole of what a Border-Gavaskar Trophy matchup looks like. 

Rahul Dravid: 233 runs off 446 balls in Adelaide 2003-04

Rahul Dravid played an essential part in India's victory in the Adelaide test during the 2003/04 tour. Australia scored 556 runs, with Ricky Ponting contributing 242. In response, India was reduced to 85/4, and VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid came together. The two struck a massive 303-run stand for the fifth wicket to get India back into the game. Rahul Dravid scored 223 runs off 446 balls, while Laxman contributed 148. Dravid smashed 22 fours and one six in his knock, helping India score 523 runs. Australia responded 196 to Ajit Agarkar's 6/41, giving India just 230 runs to win. After Virender Sehwag had a terrific start, Dravid stepped in again. Dravid spearheaded the chase with 72*, helping India to scalp a convincing victory by four wickets.

Virat Kohli: 116 runs off 213 balls in Adelaide 2011-12

Virat Kohli produced a fantastic innings of 116 runs off 213 deliveries at the Adelaide Oval in January 2012 during India's fourth and final Test tour of Australia. In the first innings, a young Virat showed talent, commitment, and poise against a formidable Australian bowling attack. He played with a good attitude, counterattacking when appropriate and defending well when needed. Kohli's century in Adelaide was his first Test century, and it was noteworthy, as he demonstrated excellent shot selection, timing, and footwork, allowing him to collect runs easily. Although India eventually lost the match, the youngster's innings made an indelible impact and laid the groundwork for his future success.

Cheteshwar Pujara: 193 runs off 373 balls in Sydney 2018-19

India had a 2-1 lead going into this match and was confident of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the end of the series. Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been immaculate throughout the series, is determined to put on a show for the last time to assist India achieve its goal. Pujara demonstrated his typical calm, discipline, and resistance when dealing with the dangerous Australian onslaught. However, he used every opportunity to knock the poor deliveries away, scoring 22 boundaries in his innings of 193 runs off 373 deliveries. As Pujara continued to pile up the runs, Australia's last-ditch bid to escape a series triumph faded. The batter appeared unstoppable at times, and his psychological drain on the opposition's bowling assault may have played a vital role in India's historic series triumph.

Also Read: Top 5 Memorable Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches played in Australia

 Virat Kohli: 169 runs off 272 balls in Melbourne 2014-15

In December 2014, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Virat Kohli produced one of his best Test innings against Australia. On the first day of the Boxing Day Test, Kohli showed incredible determination and perseverance. He scored an impressive 169 runs off 272 deliveries, including 30 boundaries. His performance was critical in stabilising the Indian innings and laying a firm foundation for the squad. This innings demonstrated Kohli's ability to thrive under challenging conditions and against top-tier competition. Notably, Kohli's effort at the MCG in 2014 helped India take a significant first-innings lead, but the team could not win the match.

Rishabh Pant: 89* runs off 138 balls in Brisbane 2020-21

The victory in the Brisbane Test (Gabba) Test in 2021 is widely regarded as one of the most defining moments in Indian cricket history, thanks to Rishabh Pant's unbeaten match-winning knock of 89 runs off 138 deliveries, anchoring India's successful chase of 328 runs, the highest-ever target chased at the Gabba. In addition, against all odds, the Indian cricket team won a surprising series triumph over Australia at the tough 'Fortress Gabba,' a location where Australia had not lost a Test since 1988. Pant, who finished fifth, demonstrated maturity and control. Pant, known for his aggressive and reckless batting style, was unconcerned about the occasion's scenario or pressure. 

Sitanshu Kotak, one of India's most respected cricket coaches, is all set to accompany the India A team as head coach on their upcoming tour to Australia. The India A team, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will play two matches against Australia's A team. The first game is scheduled for October 31 at GBRA in Mackay, followed by the second game at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 7. Following the two matches, the India A side will play a practice match against the Indian senior team at WACA, Perth.

Kotak to guide India A in Australia

See Also: Virat Kohli just 55 runs away from 16,000 runs record ahead of Pune Test

Gaikwad to lead, Easwaran named vice-captain

Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the team, with Abhimanyu Easwaran serving as vice-captain. Easwaran has been in tremendous form on the domestic circuit, making him a strong contender for a reserve opening spot in India's main Test squad. The team will also include young talents like Sai Sudharsan, who recently scored a double century in the Ranji Trophy, and other key players like Devdutt Padikkal and Baba Indrajith in the middle order.

The bowling department features Khaleel Ahmed and Yash Dayal, both of whom are competing for a left-arm seamer position in India's main squad. With key Test series ahead, this tour is crucial for India A players, offering them a chance to prove their mettle and potentially earn spots in the senior team.

Seven years ago, on July 20, Harmanpreet Kaur took the cricket world by storm with her incredible performance against Australia in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2017 semi-final. India Women won the toss and chose to bat first, but rain had reduced the game to 42 overs.

Despite this, India struggled early on, losing Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut within 10 overs. Captain Mithali Raj (36) then teamed up with Harmanpreet Kaur for a crucial 66-run partnership. Raj was out when India was at 101-3 after 25 overs.

Harmanpreet reached her fifty in 64 balls and then accelerated, scoring the next 50 runs in just 26 balls. She ended up with a stunning 171 not out off 115 balls, smashing 20 boundaries and seven sixes, helping India set a total of 281.

Australia fought back with strong performances from Elyse Villani (75) and Alex Blackwell (90), but they fell short by 36 runs. Deepti Sharma took three wickets for India.

Despite losing to England by nine runs in the final, Harmanpreet Kaur’s innings had a lasting impact on Indian cricket. Here’s how:

Boost in popularity and viewership

Harmanpreet Kaur’s historic knock led to a surge in interest and viewership for women’s cricket. The World Cup final between India Women and England Women on July 23, 2017, saw record-breaking ratings of 19.533 million impressions in India. The match and Harmanpreet’s innings helped elevate the profile of women’s cricket. The Indian team also reached the 2020 T20 World Cup final, with a remarkable 5.4 billion viewing minutes recorded across India.

Increased media coverage and player recognition

Harmanpreet Kaur’s innings led to better media coverage of women’s cricket. Journalists and media outlets began focusing more on women’s matches, including player performances, team strategies, and match analysis. This increased visibility helped spotlight exceptional performances and raise the profile of women’s cricket. The launch of the Women’s Premier League in 2023 has also provided more opportunities for players to showcase their skills and gain recognition.

Equal pay for Men and Women cricketers

In October 2022, the BCCI announced equal pay for all centrally contracted men’s and women’s cricketers. This decision marked a significant step towards gender equality in Indian cricket.

On July 20, 2024, the Indian team continued their journey in the Women’s Asia Cup, securing a seven-wicket victory against Pakistan in their first match.

Cricket Australia announced the schedule for their home summer and Melbourne will host the Australia Women’s team in a Test for the first time since 1949. On the other hand, India and Australia will be starting the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy on November 22 at Perth.

Historic Women’s Ashes at iconing MCG

While the debate over women’s Test cricket seems like a never-ending one, Australia will be hosting England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground for a 4-day Pink ball Women’s Ashes Test in January. MCG will be hosting a D/N Test match for the first time to mark the 90th year anniversary of the first Women’s Test series between Australia and England in 1934-35.

After the previous two Women’s Ashes were held at North Sydney Oval and Canberra, the Cricket Australia committed to schedule the Women’s Ashes Tests at some prime venues around the country this time. As a result, the iconic MCG will get to host the Women’s Test first time since 1948-49. It will also be the first time that a women’s international cricket match will be played at the MCG after 2020 T20 World Cup semi-final.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy schedule out

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy comprised of five Test matches between Australia and India will begin on November 22 in Perth. The second Test will be a D/N one played at the Adelaide Oval from December 6 followed by third Test at Brisbane from December 14, the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne from December 26 and the New Year Test from January 3 at Sydney.

While speaking of giving Perth the first match of the series over Brisbane, Peter Roach, CA’s head of scheduling mentioned about multiple factors including the broadcast timezone suitable for audiences from both countries. He also added, “The clear advice from our national team is that there is a preference to start series strongly at venues where they’re really comfortable and Perth and Brisbane they believe are somewhat comparable in terms of the advantage they get out of that.”

On this day 23 years ago, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid stitched together a 376-run partnership that marked one of the historical moments of Indian cricket. On March 14, 2001, at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata the duo scripted an unreal fightback that laid the foundation for one of the greatest victories in the history of Test cricket.

How it all started?

After losing the first Test against Steve Waugh-led Australia, India were all set for another heartbreak in Kolkata. Australia put a mammoth 445 in the first inning and India were bowled out for a mere 171. The hosts were asked to follow on and they were soon 232/4 with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly back to the pavilion. Rahul Dravid joined VVS Laxman and set the stage for an epic fightback.

Laxman scored 281 while Dravid played the perfect supporting role to add 181 to his name. The grit and resilience showcased by the duo changed the tone of the match in favour of the hosts. India were not just back in the game, they started showing dominance.

See Also: “It’s not easy being a selector” – Here’s how Ajit Agarkar makes it all happen

Eden Test 2001 changed mindset of Indian cricket

The partnership laid the foundation for a magical spell from Harbhajan Singh that eventually saw India winning the match by 171 runs. Nobody could believe what they saw. Nobody could imagine that the match would be unfolded in such a way.

The match is significant in various ways in Indian cricket history. This was one of those matches that made Indians believe in the team India led by Sourav Ganguly. The magnitude of the Eden Test 2001 was recalled by Hemang Badani once. He tweeted in 2023, “Not many know that at the end of day 3 we had packed our suitcases, they were to be taken straight to airport and the team was to go straight to the airport from ground. And then these two batted like magicians without losing a wicket the entire day.”

Glenn Maxwell will miss Australia’s upcoming 2023 World Cup match against England in Ahmedabad due to a concussion he sustained when he fell off the back of a golf cart on Monday, October 31. This unfortunate incident marks his second unusual injury within a year.

The versatile Australian all-rounder was clinging to the rear of a golf cart while heading back from the clubhouse to the team bus in the dark. Regrettably, he lost his grip, resulting in a concussion and some facial bruising. Reports indicate that Maxwell will need to undergo concussion protocols for a period of six to eight days.

See Also : Sachin Tendulkar’s Statue Set for Unveiling at Wankhede Stadium on November 1

Head coach Andrew McDonald provided an update, stating, “He’s been forthcoming with the information he’s provided. He’s in good condition, and he will begin light exercises today. We anticipate a relatively straightforward return to play protocol. Fortunately, the incident didn’t lead to any other injuries, which could have been far worse.”

Maxwell’s Unfortunate Concussion: A Blow to Australia’s World Cup Campaign

The news of Maxwell’s concussion and his subsequent unavailability for a match rattled the team. The incident was deemed an unfortunate accident and not related to any misconduct during the day. Maxwell has been a crucial part of the Australian team since his return to international cricket.

In addition to scoring a rapid 40-ball century against the Netherlands, Maxwell has been playing the role of a secondary spinner in the absence of Ashton Agar. Despite taking only four wickets in six innings, he has been Australia’s most economical bowler, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 4.82.

In Maxwell’s absence, either Marcus Stoinis or Cameron Green is expected to play against England on Saturday, November 4. Coach McDonald noted, “There will be a minor reshuffle, particularly in our batting order, and it will affect our bowling as well, considering Glenn’s recent bowling performance. Marcus Stoinis will be available if all goes well in training.”

Australia, led by Pat Cummins, has won their last four matches and is set to face Afghanistan and Bangladesh after their encounter with England.