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

Australia and India clash in Adelaide in a historic Test Match

After a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India are preparing to face each other on the same stage where they began their previous encounter in 2018: the Adelaide Oval. This emblematic stadium will be the backdrop for the first day/night Test Match for India away from home, an event that promises to be memorable. The series, which has been made possible thanks to the collaboration between Cricket Australia and the BCCI, has faced various challenges, from travel restrictions to concerns about possible Covid outbreaks. Uncertainty about the realization of the match was constant during the most difficult months of the pandemic.

In a year where its leaders have faced battles with state associations, state governments and broadcasters with rights, CA has been grateful that India’s administrators and players never raised significant issues about the tour.

Alofoke Deportes

The obstacles for Cricket Australia (CA) focused on securing an entry point for the charter plane carrying the visiting team. Initially, it was planned to land in Perth, but the plan was modified to arrive in Adelaide, then Brisbane, and finally Sydney, thanks to the support of the New South Wales government and the SCG Trust. Preparing the playing field for the match also presented challenges. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough has had to adapt to the circumstances, including organizing a Christmas show. “One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to live more in the present,” Hough commented. Practice sessions in the center of the field are shaping up as a competitive advantage for the Australian team. Captain Tim Paine highlighted the importance of these sessions to adapt to the game conditions with the pink ball. “It’s the most difficult thing about a Test with a pink ball; you usually have it once a year. Sometimes with a Shield match, this time without one. So you’re practically learning on the job, in real time, when you go out on the field,” Paine said.

Virat Kohli’s adjustment, who will only play one test match in the series, will be crucial. The Australian team’s strategy to counter his game will be key. “Everyone has big plans to get the best players out, don’t they? But that’s why they are the best, they can adapt, they can change with what you are doing, and Virat is undoubtedly one of the best players, if not the best player in the world,” Paine said. The atmosphere in the Australian team is positive, and captain Paine is optimistic about their performance. He highlighted that life in the bubble, where they are staying, allows him to rest better and feel fresher than at home, which could even prolong his career. This encounter between Australia and India promises to be a vibrant sporting event at a time when the world continues to grapple with the pandemic. The series is a testament to perseverance and passion for the sport.