The IND vs AUS 2nd Test in Adelaide starts on December 6, as a section of the Indian fans is worried, as to how the pitch will play. After all, this is the same venue, where Team India was bundled out for 36 in the second innings, despite being in the driver’s seat for most part of the encounter.
Adelaide Pitch to Assist Pacers?
Now, it is time for the same venue, same D/N Test. Adelaide pitch chief curator revealed that the first day of the Test could be affected due to thunderstorm, but weather would remain clear on the following days. Having said that, it will just be difficult to bat, but won’t be impossible to string partnerships.
Also, as per a report in theroar.com.au, 6mm grass will be left on the Adelaide pitch, similar to what was used in the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and Western Australia. The match ended in a draw, but the pacers ruled the roost, as expected. And rain had played spoil sport here as well.
“Shield games, whether it’s a red ball or a pink one, we’re trying to replicate the Shield and the Test preparation … very similar preparations,” curator Damian Hough said. “The Shield pitch showed if you didn’t get a new ball under lights, and you had a couple of set batters in, you’re able to see through some night-time cricket.”
IND vs AUS 2nd Test
To add to that, Hough also revealed that India’ infamous 36 all out had nothing to do with the Adelaide pitch. “On the morning of day three, no one would have expected that Test match to finish in three days,” he said. “That was just really good bowling from Australia … I don’t think the pitch played a part in that. Our job is to get that balance right and try to get a really good, even contest.”
In the match, despite having a lead of 53, India could only set a target of 90 to Australia, and went on to lose by eight wickets.
India Squad
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), *Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, ^Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.