India vs Australia Live Score, 2nd Test: Gill looks good, Rahul nervous against Boland in first hour of pink-ball Test

India vs Australia LIVE Score: KL Rahul got two spells in the same over and avoided falling for a duck

India captain Rohit Sharma earlier won the toss and said the visitors will bat first in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India have opted to drop Washington Sundar and bring back Ravichandran Ashwin. Apart from this, Dhruv Jurel and Devudutt Padikkal also sit out as expected as Rohit and Shubman Gill return.

It’s a pink-ball Test and Australia are yet to lose one in Adelaide. India completed a dominant 295-run victory after a surgical performance in Perth, with both batsmen and bowlers putting up a superb show to help the visitors claim the opening match of the series at Optus Stadium. With the team having played a warm-up match at the Manuka Oval in Canberra with the pink ball against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI, the Adelaide Test presents an excellent opportunity for India to put up another strong performance and put themselves in a controlling position for the ongoing series .

It is a very significant match for Australia, for whom this could be a crucial Test match, not only in terms of the series, but also in terms of the World Test Championship and the future of their Test team. Management and fans will not be too happy with the slightly lackluster performance the team put in in Perth, which is typically their stronghold. A toothless bowling performance in the third innings was compounded by the batting being ripped apart by Jasprit Bumrah on both occasions. Australia had very few positives to take from the opening match of this five-match series and it may now be a matter of resetting and going fresh.

Australia will also be missing Josh Hazlewood, who was their best bowler on display in the first Test match. Their replacement is more than capable, with Scott Boland having plenty of experience and capable of being a devastating bowler with the seam-friendly pink ball and his ability to hit hard lengths and rush the opposition batsmen. They will also expect captain Pat Cummins to return to form after a quiet performance in Perth where he was atypically loose and not as threatening as he usually is in Australian conditions.

The main concern for Australia will be the batting, where the only player with any score of significance was Travis Head with a counter-attack and dangerous 89 while chasing. There are concerns over the form of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, with the reliable duo struggling over the last few months and looking all at sea against India’s seam attack. With rookie batsman Nathan McSweeney also looking shaky in an unfamiliar opening position in his debut Test, and the lower middle order not particularly shining either, there might be a few too many questions than Australian fans would be happy with.

On the Indian front, it was all good news in the break between the first two Tests as Shubman Gill was determined to be fit and regain his place at number three, while Rohit Sharma’s return will also be a sign of optimism. The Indian captain confirmed that he will demote himself to the middle order, allowing KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to continue their strong partnership that opens the batting and also protects Rohit somewhat against the new ball after his recent struggles against pace.

Jaiswal and Rahul’s form in Perth bodes well for India, while Gill was excellent on his tour to Australia in 2021 and is an improved batter since. But the best news for India is definitely the fact that Virat Kohli is running behind him after his Perth century, continuing his love affair with Australia. Rishabh Pant remains the dreaded x-factor of international cricket, always capable of turning the script in a game, while Nitish Kumar Reddy adapted superbly to Test cricket on his debut and forms a solid lower-order block with Washington Sundar if a rescue job is needed .

On the bowling front, India will be grateful that injury luck has held up in their pace bowling corps, marking a big difference from the injury-hit tour last time out. Jasprit Bumrah will still be the monstrous presence on which India’s chances depend: if he continues to breathe fire, it spells trouble for Australia and success for India. Around him, Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana have both impressed and are expected to retain their roles after being more than capable in their supporting roles.

There could be a surprise India could present with spin: While Washington Sundar provides quality spin and clever batting, Ravichandran Ashwin had success with the pink ball in Adelaide in 2020. Ravindra Jadeja also remains in contention, presenting a bit of a dilemma for Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma to handle.

The Adelaide Test match will also have the specter of 36 all over it, with India looking to find revenge on that occasion, while Australia can rely on the fact that they were so successful with the pink ball against India last time out. India will know the importance of batting with intent, patience and application after that match and will look to avenge the ghosts of Adelaide with a strong performance this time.

Much depends on the second match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in a game that could prove incredibly consequential for both teams.

Here are a few tips regarding India vs Australia 2nd Test:

– Mitchell Starc dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal with the first ball of the match

– India have dropped Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin returns

– Rohit Sharma won the toss and India bat first

– Australia have never lost a pink-ball Test in Adelaide

– India have won three day-night Tests and their only defeat came against Australia

– For India, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are back in the Playing XI

– KL Rahul will continue to open for India while Rohit Sharma will position himself in the middle order

– Scott Boland will replace Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s Playing XI

– The last time India played a pinkball Test against Australia, they were out for 36.