Australia and India: A Classic in Times of Pandemic
The iconic Adelaide Oval will be the stage for a new clash between Australia and India, repeating the backdrop of their 2018 encounter. This inaugural match of the series becomes the first day/night Test for the Indian team away from home, promising an unforgettable spectacle. Continuity is a hallmark of Test cricket, and the stadium offers a familiar atmosphere with its historic scoreboard and Moreton Bay fig trees, creating a special environment for the teams led by Tim Paine and Virat Kohli. This encounter, which marks 20 years of intense rivalry between two of the cricket powers, has a special significance, considering the challenges they faced to carry it out. Uncertainty reigned during the first months of 2020, when the world of sports stopped. Despite the obstacles, the collaboration between Cricket Australia and the BCCI was key to securing the series. Indian administrators and players showed great willingness, facilitating the process. The biggest challenge for CA executives was finding an entry point for the charter plane carrying the team. Initial options in Perth and Brisbane were ruled out, and Sydney was finally chosen, thanks to the support of the New South Wales government and the SCG Trust. Even after the arrival of the Indians, a Covid outbreak in Adelaide put the series at risk. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough, who has dealt with rock concerts and changes to football matches, prepared a pitch for a test match in the midst of a pandemic.Training sessions in the center of the field are seen as a competitive advantage for the Australians. Captain Tim Paine highlighted the importance of these sessions, especially to adapt to the pink ball and the night conditions. Kohli’s adaptation, who did not participate in the practice match at the SCG, will be crucial. This is Kohli’s only test match in the series, before Ajinkya Rahane takes over the leadership. The Australians, with their potent attack led by Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, will seek to neutralize Kohli, who has proven capable of excelling even against the best attacks.“One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to live more in the present,” Hough said. “We had plans, but we had to live in the moment a little more.”
Damian Hough
Tactical talk and planning are a respite from concerns about Covid protocols and border restrictions. Paine, who values his test career, does not feel fatigue from the “bubble”. “I love it, to be honest,” Paine said. “I sleep better here and feel fresher than at home, so life in the bubble could make me play longer.” This new chapter between India and Australia promises to be a vibrant sporting event, especially at a time when many in the world remain confined by the pandemic.“Virat is one of the best players, if not the best in the world,” Paine said. “We have plans that have worked against him in the past; we hope they work this week, but if not, we have other plans.”
Tim Paine
