Can India overcome Australia’s pace and bounce?

After a forgettable start in Perth, India faces a critical test in the second ODI against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. The spotlight will once again shine on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the experienced duo tasked with delivering match-turning performances as the team seeks to level the three-match series.

The opening ODI was a rollercoaster disrupted by multiple stoppages, which left India’s batting rhythm in tatters. The side managed just 136 runs, putting pressure on Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel to defend a modest total. Unsurprisingly, the bowling unit struggled against a confident Australian lineup, handing the hosts a seven-wicket win.

Adelaide, however, presents a new challenge. Fresh tracks in Australia offer bounce and lateral movement, and bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are primed to exploit any weaknesses. Australia, while missing last match’s hero Matt Kuhnemann, welcomes back seasoned leg-spinner Adam Zampa and fit-again wicketkeeper Alex Carey, adding depth to their attack.

Rohit’s extra work pays off

Rohit Sharma has taken no chances in preparation. Arriving at the nets 45 minutes before his teammates for an optional session, he was accompanied only by head coach Gautam Gambhir and two throw-down specialists. Early damp conditions meant the balls were bouncing unpredictably, prompting Gambhir to shift Rohit to another net for a longer, safer session.

While Rohit focused on perfecting his strokes, Virat Kohli took a rare day off, interacting with fans and signing autographs. Despite the relaxed demeanor, Kohli and Rohit remain in good touch, according to batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. “They batted really well yesterday in every net session, their approach has been excellent,” Kotak said on the eve of the match.

Balancing the side without Hardik

The absence of Hardik Pandya continues to impact India’s balance. His ability to bowl pace and contribute crucial runs is sorely missed. In his place, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are being groomed as all-round options. “Someone like Hardik is always a big loss. But Nitish is getting valuable game time, which is good preparation for the future,” Kotak noted.

Bowling options like Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna are also being evaluated. Kuldeep, an attacking wrist-spinner, could replace Sundar, but shorter boundaries at Adelaide carry risks if he misses his line. Prasidh’s extra pace might also be useful, though the likelihood is India sticks with the same XI as Perth.

India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.