Australia and India Clash in Adelaide: A Duel with a Taste of History
Test cricket returns to Adelaide Oval, the scene that marked the beginning of the last series between Australia and India in 2018. This encounter, framed in a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, promises to be an unforgettable event.
The iconic scoreboard and Moreton Bay trees at the northern end of the field evoke the tradition of Test cricket. This will be the backdrop for the teams led by Tim Paine and Virat Kohli in the first day/night Test that India will play away from home. This clash, which marks the twentieth anniversary of an intense rivalry, has a special significance.
The realization of this series is an achievement in itself. Despite the financial forces driving the encounters between Australia and India, with 12 test series since 1999, the challenges to carry out the matches were significant. There were moments of uncertainty, especially during the months of March, April and May, when world sport came to a halt.
Cricket Australia faced logistical obstacles, from finding an entry point for the visiting team to negotiations with the Queensland government. Even after India’s arrival, the series was at risk due to a Covid outbreak in Adelaide.
Damian Hough, curator of the Adelaide Oval, adapted to the circumstances. “One thing we’ve learned with Covid is to live more in the present,” Hough said. “This year has been unique, and we are grateful to be able to offer Australia training sessions in the center of the field.”It is increasingly likely that Virat Kohli and Tim Paine will face each other later this year.Tim Paine highlighted the advantage of training in the center of the Adelaide Oval, especially with the pink ball. “It’s a challenge to adapt to the conditions, but we’ve had three nights of training, which is fantastic,” he stated.
Kohli’s participation, who will only play one test match in the series, adds a crucial element. Ajinkya Rahane will take over the captaincy in the remaining three matches.
Australians, with players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, will look to stop Kohli. “We have plans that have worked against him in the past,” Paine said. “We have different options in our attack, which gives us flexibility.”
Paine, who values his cricket career, shows no signs of fatigue. “I’m enjoying it. I feel fresher here than at home,” he said.
This clash between Australia and India promises to be a memorable sporting event, especially at a time when the world is grappling with the pandemic.
