The second test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 is a day-night clash in Adelaide, starting on December 6. India comes into this test with high confidence, having made history by defeating Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium in the first test. It was the first time any team beat Australia at that venue in a test match.
This Adelaide test will be played with the pink ball under lights. However, the last time India played a day-night test in Adelaide, they faced a massive collapse, scoring only 36 runs, their lowest total ever in test cricket.
While India is confident after their win in Perth, Australia has concerns, especially with their batting. Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Usman Khawaja have been struggling with form. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh are their only in-form batters, but Marsh is facing fitness issues with his bowling.
Despite a big win in the first test by 295 runs, India made three key changes for the Adelaide test.
Three Changes in India’s Playing XI for the Adelaide Test
- Rohit Sharma Returns
Rohit Sharma is back in the team after missing the first test due to the birth of his child. This time, he will bat in the middle order. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will continue to open for India. - Shubman Gill Replaces Devdutt Padikkal
Shubman Gill has returned after missing the first test due to a thumb injury. Devdutt Padikkal, who played in the first test, was dropped after scoring 25 runs in Perth. - Ravichandran Ashwin Replaces Washington Sundar
Ravichandran Ashwin also comes back into the side, replacing Washington Sundar. Sundar took two wickets and scored 33 runs in the first test. However, Ashwin’s experience is preferred for this important day-night test.
The third player dropped from the first test is Dhruv Jurel, who scored only 12 runs in Perth.
Teams for the Adelaide Test:
| India | Australia |
|---|---|
| KL Rahul | Nathan McSweeney |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Usman Khawaja |
| Shubman Gill | Marnus Labuschagne |
| Virat Kohli | Steve Smith |
| Rishabh Pant (wk) | Travis Head |
| Rohit Sharma (c) | Mitchell Marsh |
| Nitish Reddy | Alex Carey (wk) |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | Pat Cummins (c) |
| Harshit Rana | Mitchell Starc |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Nathan Lyon |
| Mohammed Siraj | Scott Boland |
This match will be an exciting contest, with India looking to extend their lead in the series and Australia aiming to bounce back. All eyes will be on how the pink ball behaves under the lights and if India can overcome their past struggles in day-night tests in Adelaide.
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