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 last encounter in 2018: the Adelaide Oval. The presence of the iconic scoreboard and the Moreton Bay trees at the north end of the field provide a sense of continuity, an essential element in test cricket. This will be the first day/night Test for India away from home, an event that promises to be memorable. The series, which has been a mainstay on the cricket calendar for two decades, has endured despite the challenges.

The series is a testament to the financial strength and determination of both teams, who have played 12 test series since 1999.

Alofoke Deportes

In the difficult months of March, April and May, when the world of sport stopped, the uncertainty about the realization of the series was palpable. Cricket Australia (CA) felt grateful for the collaboration of the administrators and players of India, who avoided major inconveniences. The obstacles for CA centered on finding an entry point for the charter plane carrying the visiting team. Initial plans to land in Perth were modified to Adelaide, then to 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 could have disrupted the series. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough prepared for various eventualities, adapting to the changing circumstances.

“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 in the moment a little more,” he added.

Alofoke Deportes

Training sessions in the center of the field are shaping up as a competitive advantage for the Australians, especially for those who arrived earlier than those who played for Australia A on a different surface at the SCG.

It is increasingly hopeful that Virat Kohli and Tim Paine will face each other later this year.Tim Paine highlighted the importance of training in the center of the Adelaide Oval pitch, which he considers an advantage for the team. Adjusting to the conditions with the light and the pink ball is a challenge, but the previous practices have been fundamental. Virat Kohli’s participation, who will only play one test match in the series, adds an element of uniqueness to the event. Ajinkya Rahane will take over the leadership in the remaining three matches. The Australians, with their fearsome bowling attack, will seek to limit Kohli, who has demonstrated his ability to excel even against the best. Paine recognizes Kohli’s skill and the need to have multiple strategies to counter him. Tactical discussions and plans for the match offer a respite from Covid protocols, border restrictions and the financial challenges of the year. Paine, who appreciates his cricket career more than many, does not feel fatigue from the current situation and enjoys the atmosphere in the bubble. The series between Australia and India promises to be a memorable sporting event, especially at a time when many in the world remain confined by the pandemic.