Australia vs India: Cricket match in Adelaide, a respite after a chaotic year

Australia and India: An Epic Duel in Times of Uncertainty

In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare to face each other on the same stage where they began their previous encounter in 2018: the Adelaide Oval. The presence of the iconic scoreboard and the Moreton Bay trees evokes the tradition of Test cricket, serving as a backdrop for the teams of Tim Paine and Virat Kohli in India’s first day/night Test away from home. This clash between two of cricket’s most powerful nations promises to be memorable, especially considering the circumstances. The series itself is a triumph, given that during the difficult months of March, April and May, when the world of sport stood still, the possibility of it not taking place was real. Despite the financial influence that drives the encounters between India and Australia, everyone involved and the fans experienced moments of uncertainty. Cricket Australia (CA) thanked India’s administrators and players for not raising significant issues about the tour. The challenges for CA’s interim CEO, Nick Hockley, and chairman Earl Eddings, focused on finding an entry point for the visiting team’s charter plane. Initial plans to land in Perth were moved to Adelaide, then to Brisbane, before finally falling on Sydney, Canberra, the New South Wales government, and the SCG Trust. Negotiations with the Queensland government were tense and ultimately unsuccessful. Even after the arrival of the Indians, there was a possibility that a Covid outbreak in Adelaide would disrupt the series. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough, who has dealt with rock concerts and changes to football matches in the past, prepared a pitch for a test match, with a Christmas show as a prelude.

“One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to be more in the present,” Hough said. “We like to plan months in advance. We still had plans, but we had to live in the moment a little more.”

Damian Hough

Training sessions in the center of the field are a competitive advantage for the Australians. Captain Tim Paine highlighted the importance of these sessions, especially to adapt to the conditions of the pink ball and the lights. Kohli’s adjustment, who did not participate in the warm-up match at the SCG, will be crucial. This will be Kohli’s only test match in the series, before Ajinkya Rahane takes over the leadership in the remaining three matches. The Australians, with their powerful attack of players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, have had success in the past in getting Kohli out early. However, Kohli has shown that he can be dangerous.

“Everyone has big plans to get the best players out, right? But that’s why they’re the best, they can adapt, they can change with what you’re doing, and Virat is certainly one of the best players, if not the best player in the world,” Paine said.

Tim Paine

Paine, who values his test career, feels no bubble fatigue. He feels well-rested and in shape, even better than at home, which could prolong his time in cricket. This new chapter between India and Australia will be unforgettable, especially at a time when many in the world are still confined by the pandemic.