Australia and India: An Epic Duel Amidst the Pandemic
In a year marked by the Covid-19 crisis, Australia and India prepare to face each other on the same stage where they began their last encounter in 2018: the Adelaide Oval. The view of the scoreboard and the Moreton Bay trees, symbols of cricket, will create a special atmosphere for the first day/night Test that India will play away from home. This encounter between two of the most powerful cricket nations has a special meaning, especially after a year full of uncertainty. The series, which has been a constant since 1999, was in doubt due to the complications of the pandemic. The difficulties in carrying out the series were many, from the search for a port of entry for the Indian team to the negotiations with the Queensland government. Despite the challenges, the series continues. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough has had to adapt to the circumstances, preparing the playing field with a focus on the Test match rather than the Sheffield Shield games.Practice sessions in the center of the playing field are presented as a competitive advantage for the Australian team, something that captain Tim Paine highlighted. Virat Kohli’s adjustment, who did not participate in the practice match at the SCG, will be crucial for the result in Adelaide. Furthermore, this will be Kohli’s only test match in the series, as Ajinkya Rahane will take over the leadership in the remaining three matches. The Australians, with players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, will again seek to stop Kohli, who has proven to be a dangerous player.“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 a little more in the moment.”
Damian Hough
Paine, who values his cricket career, is optimistic and shows no signs of fatigue, enjoying the atmosphere of the series. In such a complicated year, this new chapter between Australia and India promises to be an unforgettable sporting event.“Everyone has big plans to get the best players out, isn’t that right?, but that’s the reason they are the best, they can adapt, they can change with what you are doing, and Virat is certainly one of the best players, if not the best player in the world”, Paine said.
Tim Paine
