Australia Eyes Redemption in Adelaide as Rohit Sharma Returns for India in Second Test
MELBOURNE – After suffering a heavy 295-run defeat in the opening Test in Perth, Australia is looking to bounce back in the second match of the series against India, set to be played at the Adelaide Oval. The hosts will also face the challenge of welcoming back Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test due to personal reasons, but now returns to lead his side.
Australia’s performance in the series opener has been under intense scrutiny, with media and fans questioning every aspect of the team’s preparation, selection, and tactics. The heavy loss in Perth has raised concerns, especially after a strong start to the series was expected on home soil.
Adding to Australia’s woes is the injury to frontline paceman Josh Hazlewood, who was one of the few shining lights for the Australians in Perth. Hazlewood’s injury means at least one change to the team’s lineup, adding another layer of uncertainty. Despite this, the team insists they are not hitting the panic button.
Australia will take comfort in their formidable record at Adelaide Oval, a venue where they have dominated in the past, particularly under the lights of a day-night Test. The Australians have never lost a pink-ball Test at this venue, and they will look to replicate their success from the 2020-21 series, when they famously bowled India out for just 36 runs in a historic collapse.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey expressed confidence ahead of the second Test, stating, “It’s quite a big reaction externally to one Test loss. Internally, we don’t feel that.” The Australian players are focused on the challenge ahead, and Carey believes that the team can recover quickly, using their strong record in Adelaide as a foundation for a comeback.
However, pressure is mounting on Australia’s top order, especially after Jasprit Bumrah’s devastating eight-wicket performance in the first Test. Of the eight Australian batsmen who played in Perth, only Mitchell Marsh was not dismissed by the Indian pacer.
Australia’s coach and selector, Andrew McDonald, has backed the struggling Marnus Labuschagne to keep his spot in the lineup despite his poor form, insisting that no changes are planned to the batting order. Another defeat in Adelaide would be Australia’s third consecutive loss in a home Test series, a scenario last seen in 1988, and could accelerate the need for succession planning in an ageing team.
Rohit Sharma Returns
India’s preparations for the series were also clouded by doubts following their 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home. However, the talk around Virat Kohli’s career has quieted after his match-winning century in Perth. Kohli’s performance has energized Indian fans, and they are hopeful that their team can continue their momentum with Rohit Sharma’s return.
Indian fans flocked to Adelaide Oval on Tuesday to watch the Indian batsmen, including Kohli and Rohit, preparing for the second Test. Rohit, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his child, will resume the captaincy from Bumrah and is expected to strengthen India’s batting lineup. However, there is uncertainty over whether Rohit will return to the top of the order, where he has struggled in recent matches, having scored just one fifty in his last ten Test innings.
Selectors are also keen to retain the opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who put together a crucial 201-run stand in the second innings in Perth. Rohit batted at number four in a warm-up match in Canberra, where he scored just three runs.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who missed the first Test due to a thumb injury, is fit again and likely to return to the opening slot after scoring an unbeaten 50 in the warm-up match against an Australian Prime Minister’s XI.
With both teams now under pressure, the second Test at Adelaide Oval is set to be a crucial encounter. Australia will be desperate to level the series, while India will aim to capitalize on their commanding position and push for a series win. The stage is set for a thrilling contest as both teams fight for supremacy in the second Test of this high-stakes series.
