December 3, 2024: The upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide between India and Australia, starting December 6, is set to be a thrilling encounter. India will be looking to take advantage of their momentum from the dominant 295-run victory in the first Test at Perth, and the mental edge they have gained over Australia. The Indians will also be keen to make amends for their humiliating defeat in the 2020 Adelaide pink-ball Test, where they were bowled out for their lowest-ever Test score of 36 in the second innings. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood had tormented India that day, but the visitors now appear much better equipped for the challenge, especially with the form of young Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli.
The 22-year-old Jaiswal has been in sensational form, especially in 2024, where he has already scored 1,280 runs in Tests at an average of 58.18 and a strike rate of 72.52. His three centuries and seven fifties in the year are a testament to his consistency, and his scintillating 161 at Perth in the first Test was a remarkable achievement. Jaiswal is just 282 runs shy of overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most Test runs by an Indian in a calendar year. Tendulkar’s 2010 feat of 1,562 runs, with an average of 78.10, could soon be surpassed by this young prodigy. Jaiswal’s best score so far is an unbeaten 214, which mirrors the same score that Tendulkar had in that calendar year.
If Jaiswal continues this form, he has a very real chance of breaking multiple records, and his contributions against Australia, both in India and overseas, will help solidify his place as one of the brightest young talents in world cricket.
Virat Kohli, despite a lean patch in recent years, has shown glimpses of his vintage form. He is just one century away from equalling Sir Donald Bradman’s record of most centuries by a player against a single opponent in their home conditions. Bradman scored 11 centuries against England in England, while Kohli currently has 10 centuries against Australia in Australia. A century in this Test could not only secure this record for Kohli but could also be a turning point in his quest to return to top form.
Kohli has had a challenging year in terms of runs, but his ability to rise to the occasion in big matches, particularly against Australia, is something that cannot be underestimated. A match-winning performance here could provide him with the confidence boost needed to finish the year strongly and move into 2025 with renewed vigor.
The Australian squad will be desperate to bounce back after the first Test loss, with the memory of the 2020 Adelaide Test still fresh in the minds of their players. The likes of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc will be crucial in ensuring Australia’s bowling attack remains potent. Meanwhile, the batting department, including the ever-reliable Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja, will need to perform better to match India’s formidable attack.
With both teams fully aware of the significance of the pink-ball format, which often brings with it unpredictable conditions, the Adelaide Test promises to be a fascinating contest. If Kohli and Jaiswal can continue their strong form, coupled with solid contributions from the rest of the Indian squad, India may well head into the third Test with a 2-0 lead in the series, setting up an enthralling finish to the tour.
India’s squad, led by Rohit Sharma and backed by the experience of Bumrah, Kohli, and Ashwin, is more than capable of handling the challenges of Australian conditions. Meanwhile, young talents like Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan are rising to the occasion and could prove pivotal in ensuring India takes an unassailable lead in the series.
The Adelaide Test is not only a crucial match for the series but also an opportunity for some of the finest young talents to break records and further cement their legacy in the game of cricket. The eyes of the cricketing world will be on Jaiswal and Kohli as they chase history, and the prospect of an India-Australia rivalry, which is always fierce and captivating, will make this Test one to watch.