IND vs AUS 2024: 3 changes India might make for Second Test at Adelaide Oval

IND vs AUS 2024- 3 changes India might make for Second Test at Adelaide Oval (Photo Source: BCCI/X)

Visiting side Team India (IND) won the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) at the Optus Stadium in Perth, comprehensively by 295 runs. The team is headed for the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, scheduled to commence on December 6. The upcoming game will be a Pink-ball Test and this will be the second time India face Australia in the new Test setup.

The first time they faced the hosts was in 2021, where India registered their lowest first innings score of 36 all out and eventually lost the game. This was also the only loss in their four pink ball games for the Asian side. The change in colour of the ball will bring its own challenges and the batters are wary of this fact. Even the management might have pondered over the suitable changes to the squad.

3 possible changes for India’s Playing XI for the second Test:

3. Rohit Sharma in for Dhruv Jurel

Rohit Sharma. (Source – Getty Images)

It will be a no-brainer that someone might have to make way for Rohit Sharma as the India Captain has made entry to the team after opting out of the first Test. He played at number four in the day and night game against Prime Minister’s XI and got out for just three runs. Interestingly, the ‘Hitman’ was not part of the playing when India last played in Adelaide.

Also Read: 3 Players who could lead India in Tests after Rohit Sharma 

Dhruv Jurel will have minimal appeal as Rishabh Pant looks in sound fitness and is donning the role of a wicketkeeper too. Moreover, Jurel came up with scores of 11 and 1 respectively in the first innings and the second innings of the Perth Test which can cause obstacles in his way of making it to the playing XI. There is also debate over whether Rohit should replace KL Rahul as opener, who stitched a match-defining 201-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Perth.

2. Shubman Gill in for Devdutt Padikkal

Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Shubman Gill had picked up a thumb injury ahead of the first Test and the batter missed the inaugural game. Devdutt Padikkal, who was with the India A side in Australia was inducted into the squad and replaced Gill at number three. Padikkal scored a duck and 25 runs, respectively, in both innings of the Perth Test. It is worth noting that, the Karnataka batter scored 36 and 88 runs in the second game against Australia A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.

Gill took the field against Prime Minister’s XI and the batter looked in good touch despite a recent thumb injury. He started tonking that ball in his usual self and scored a blistering 50 off just 62 balls laced with seven boundaries. Now that the right-handed batters all braced for Adelaide, Padikkal might have to make way for India’s number three in Tests.

1. Bring in Ravichandran Ashwin for Sundar

Ravi Ashwin. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Though the pink ball is a pacer’s darling, the spinners can use the leather which is relatively bigger than the usual red ball to their fullest. When India last played the day and night game in Adelaide, Ravichandran Ashwin was instrumental in restricting Australia to just 191 runs in their first innings. The spinner picked four wickets in the first winnings and as Australia lost only one wicket in the second, it was Ashwin’s claim.

Also Check- BGT 2024-25: Top 5 Players to watch out for in upcoming Test series

With Ashwin in, India might have to let go of Washington Sundar. This might hurt their depth in batting but the veteran spinner might also come in handy with the bat. With the two spinners in the fray, Ravindra Jadeja, who sat out for the first Test will have to wait for some more time to get into action.