The second match of the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia is set to begin on December 6. With the match approaching, fans and teams alike are curious about the nature of the Adelaide pitch.
Adelaide Oval’s pitch curator, Damian Hough, has stated that efforts are underway to create a balanced wicket. He confirmed that the pitch will have a 6mm grass covering, which is expected to assist with swing and seam movement.
Curator’s Insight on Adelaide’s Pitch
Speaking to the media on December 4, Damian Hough explained, “For the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the wicket will have an even grass covering. This 6mm layer of grass will provide favorable conditions for fast bowlers.”
When asked if the conditions would be overly advantageous for pacers, Hough emphasized that his team is working to create a balanced pitch where batters, pacers, and spinners can all play a role in influencing the outcome of the game. He further noted that overcast or dimly lit conditions would significantly benefit fast bowlers.
Rain Expected on Day One
There is an 88% chance of rain on the first day of the Adelaide Test, with the possibility of thunderstorms. Under such conditions, the ball is expected to swing and seam, not due to the pitch itself but because of the venue’s atmospheric conditions.
Hough remarked, “History tells us that batting under lights in Adelaide is challenging. The pitch will have a 6mm grass cover. We are trying to prepare a surface that promotes good competition. When India last played here, the match ended in three days, but that was due to Australia’s excellent bowling, not the pitch conditions.”
India’s last visit to Adelaide resulted in their infamous 36 all-out, the team’s lowest Test score. However, India will be brimming with confidence this time, having secured a commanding 295-run victory in the first Test at Perth, their largest win by runs in Australia.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series Schedule
- 1st Test (Perth, November 22-25): India won by 295 runs.
- 2nd Test (Adelaide, December 6-10)
- 3rd Test (Brisbane, December 14-18)
- 4th Test (Melbourne, December 26-30)
- 5th Test (Sydney, January 3-7)
Squads
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Devdutt Padikkal.
Australia Squad:
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Brendan Doggett, and Sean Abbott.
India will aim to repeat their success in Perth and solidify their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final.
