Australia and India Face Off in Adelaide: A Duel Marked by Uncertainty and Excitement
In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare for a new confrontation at the Adelaide Oval, the same venue where their previous series began in 2018. The familiar sight of the scoreboard and the iconic Moreton Bay trees provide a sense of continuity, a backdrop for India’s first day/night Test away from home, with Tim Paine and Virat Kohli as leaders of their teams. This encounter has a special meaning, as it takes place in a context of uncertainty. The series was in doubt due to the logistical and financial difficulties that the pandemic posed, although the passion for cricket between Australia and India has been a key factor for the event to materialize. The challenges for Cricket Australia (CA) included finding an entry point for the Indian team’s charter plane. Initial plans to land in Perth were modified, going through Adelaide and Brisbane, before finally settling on Sydney, Canberra and the New South Wales government. Even after the arrival of the Indians, a Covid outbreak in Adelaide threatened to disrupt the series. Despite the possible changes, Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough has prepared a playing surface for the match, adapting to the circumstances.Australia’s training sessions in the middle of the field are considered a key competitive advantage. Tim Paine highlighted the importance of these sessions for adapting to the game conditions with the pink ball. Kohli’s adaptation will be crucial, especially given that this is his only test match in the series. After this match, Ajinkya Rahane will take over the leadership of the Indian team. The Australians, with their fearsome bowling attack, will seek to neutralize Kohli, who has demonstrated his ability to score against them. Australian captain Tim Paine acknowledged Kohli’s ability to adapt and change the course of the game.“One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to live more in the present,” Hough said. “We like to plan months in advance. We still had plans, but we had to live a little more in the moment.”
Damian Hough
Paine was optimistic and excited about the match, highlighting the importance of enjoying every moment on the field. The series between Australia and India promises to be a memorable sporting event, especially at a time when the world faces significant challenges.“Everyone has big plans to get the best players out, don’t they? But that’s why they’re the best, they can adapt, they can change with what you’re doing, and Virat is undoubtedly one of the best players, if not the best player in the world,” Paine said.
Tim Paine
