Australia and India clash in Adelaide: A duel marked by uncertainty
In 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. The presence of the iconic scoreboard and the Moreton Bay trees provide a sense of continuity in test cricket, serving as a backdrop for the teams led by Tim Paine and Virat Kohli in the first day/night Test for India away from home. This encounter between two of cricket’s most powerful nations promises to be special, standing out for the simple fact that the series is taking place. Despite the financial forces driving the encounters between Australia and India since 1999, both players and spectators experienced uncertainty about the realization of the series this year. During the difficult months of March, April and May, when the world of sport stopped, the possibility of the series not taking place was considered. Recently, the obstacles focused on the organization of the series, despite the good will between Cricket Australia and the BCCI. CA’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley and chairman Earl Eddings faced challenges in finding an entry point for the charter plane carrying the visiting team. Initial plans to land in Perth were moved to Adelaide and then to Brisbane, before Sydney, Canberra and the New South Wales government were finally chosen. Even after the Indians arrived, there was a chance that a Covid outbreak in Adelaide would disrupt the series. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough has had to deal with rock concerts and changes to football matches, but this year he prepared a pitch for a test match with a Christmas parade as a prelude.Practice sessions in the center of the court are shaping up as a competitive advantage for Australian players. Captain Tim Paine highlighted the importance of these sessions, especially in a match with a pink ball, where adaptation is key. Kohli’s adjustment, who did not participate in the practice match at the SCG, will be crucial. Furthermore, this will be Kohli’s only test match in the series, before Ajinkya Rahane takes over the captaincy in the remaining three matches. With a formidable Australian attack, Paine acknowledges Kohli’s ability to adapt and make an impact. The Australian team has plans to counter Kohli, but also has varied options in their attack. Paine, who values his test career, shows no signs of bubble fatigue, enjoying the situation and highlighting the benefits of a good rest. The frequency of encounters between India and Australia may have generated some fatigue, but the events of 2020 have ensured that this new chapter is as vibrant as any sporting event, at a time when many around the world remain confined by the pandemic.“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
