Australia vs India: Cricket Resurfaces in Adelaide After a Chaotic Year

Australia and India clash in Adelaide: A duel with history and challenges

After a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare for a new confrontation at the Adelaide Oval, the scene that hosted the start of their previous series in 2018. This encounter promises to be memorable, especially as it is the first day/night Test for India away from home. The presence of the historical scoreboard and the iconic Moreton Bay fig trees at the northern end of the field provide a sense of continuity, an essential element in Test cricket. This will be the backdrop for the teams led by Tim Paine and Virat Kohli. The series, which marks the 12th encounter between Australia and India since 1999, takes on a special value considering the challenges they faced in its realization. The months of March, April, and May were particularly difficult for the world of sports, and the uncertainty about the series was palpable. Cricket Australia (CA) thanked the support of the Indian administrators and players, who did not present major inconveniences. The obstacles for CA, led by Nick Hockley and Earl Eddings, focused on logistics, such as the arrival of the visiting team. Different options for the arrival were considered, from Perth to Adelaide and Brisbane, before Sydney, Canberra, the New South Wales government and the SCG Trust took the initiative. The negotiation with the Queensland government was particularly complicated. Even after the arrival of the Indians, a Covid outbreak in Adelaide threatened to disrupt the series. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough adapted to the circumstances, preparing the pitch with a present-focused mindset.

“One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to live more in the present,” Hough stated. “We had plans, but we had to adapt to the moment.”

Damian Hough

Practice sessions in the center of the field offer a crucial competitive advantage for Australian players, as Paine highlighted. The team has had the opportunity to train on the main field, which gives them an edge in adapting to the pink ball conditions.

Virat Kohli and Tim Paine

Kohli’s adaptation, who will only play one Test in the series, will be crucial. Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy for the remaining three matches adds a unique element to this encounter. The Australians, with players of the caliber of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, will seek to neutralize Kohli, who has demonstrated his ability to excel even against the most formidable attacks.

“Everyone has big plans to get the best players out, 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

Tactical discussions and plans for the match offer a respite from pandemic-related concerns. Paine, who values his cricket career, shows no signs of fatigue from the “bubbles” and feels motivated to continue competing. This new chapter between Australia and India promises to be a vibrant sporting event, at a time when the world continues to grapple with the pandemic.