Australia and India Clash in Adelaide in a Historic Test Match
After a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia and India prepare for a new confrontation at the Adelaide Oval, the same venue where they began their previous series in 2018. The presence of the old scoreboard and the iconic Moreton Bay trees at the north end of the field evoke the tradition of 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 the most powerful cricket nations promises to be memorable, especially considering the challenges they faced to make the series happen. After a 2020 with sports activity on hold, the realization of this series was uncertain, despite the goodwill between Cricket Australia and the BCCI. The obstacles for Cricket Australia (CA) focused on logistics, such as the arrival of the Indian team. Initially, it was planned to land in Perth, but Adelaide was finally chosen, then Brisbane and finally Sydney, Canberra and the New South Wales government. Even after the arrival of the Indians, there was a possibility that a Covid-19 outbreak in Adelaide would disrupt the series. Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough commented on the preparations, highlighting the need to adapt to changing circumstances.Practice sessions are crucial for Australians, especially for players who arrived before the rest of the team. Australian captain Tim Paine emphasized the importance of these sessions in the middle of the field. Kohli’s adaptation, who did not participate in the practice match at the SCG, will be key in Adelaide. Furthermore, this will be Kohli’s only match in the series, before Ajinkya Rahane takes over the leadership in the remaining three matches. The Australians, with their potent attack, have managed to get Kohli out early in the last two series. Paine acknowledged Kohli’s skill and the need to have several plans to counter him.“We have learned with Covid to live more in the present. We had to adapt and live in the moment a little more,” Hough said.
Damian Hough
Paine also talked about enjoying the series, dismissing “bubble fatigue” and highlighting his satisfaction with the current conditions. This new chapter between Australia and India promises to be unforgettable, especially in a global context marked by the pandemic.“Virat is one of the best players, if not the best, in the world,” Paine commented.
Tim Paine
