After a crushing 295-run defeat in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the hands of India, Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, has confirmed that the same squad will be retained for the upcoming second Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 6th. Despite the heavy loss in Perth, McDonald remains confident in the current squad’s ability to bounce back and level the series in the pink-ball, day-night Test.
“The people in that change room are the same people that will be in Adelaide,” McDonald stated, according to the ICC. “It is always a consideration, wherever you go in the world, in terms of the personnel you pick for conditions,” he added, suggesting that the team’s selection strategy is based on adaptability to varying playing conditions.
India’s stunning victory in Perth came after a shaky first innings where they were bowled out for just 150 runs. However, the Indian bowlers turned the tide, dismissing Australia for a paltry 104 in response, taking a slim lead. India then capitalised on the momentum with a stellar second-innings display, setting a daunting target of 534 runs.
Australia’s all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who has been nursing several fitness concerns, will remain in the squad despite being slightly underdone ahead of the series opener. McDonald acknowledged Marsh’s ongoing fitness issues, including a hamstring injury that has affected his bowling throughout the year. However, the coach expressed optimism about Marsh’s contribution moving forward.
“We knew Mitch was slightly underdone coming in, but I thought the performance in the first innings was satisfactory,” McDonald said, referring to Marsh’s two-wicket haul in the opening innings. Marsh struggled with consistency in the second innings, conceding runs at crucial moments, but McDonald remains hopeful of his fitness for the second Test.
Despite the heavy defeat, McDonald was positive about the team’s morale. “I think morale is pretty good. I think this team is really good at handling the highs and lows; it’s quite a level team,” he said, expressing confidence that the squad would rally to make a strong comeback.
India’s victory in the first Test was built on several standout individual performances. Jasprit Bumrah, leading the team as stand-in captain, delivered an exceptional performance with eight wickets across both innings, including a five-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings. Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar also played vital roles, while the Indian batting was led by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a scintillating 161 in the second innings, and Virat Kohli, whose century helped India set a commanding target.
Australia, in their second innings, could not keep up the chase, despite strong efforts from Travis Head (89 off 101 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (47 off 67 balls). The Indian bowlers were relentless, dismissing Australia for 238 to seal the victory.
Reflecting on the loss, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins admitted the result was “fairly disappointing,” acknowledging that despite the team’s solid preparations, “not much went right” for them. However, Cummins remained optimistic about their ability to bounce back, saying, “It is what it is. After a loss, you want to get back on the horse pretty quickly. But we’ll take a couple of days’ rest and get into Adelaide.”
The Adelaide Test, featuring the pink ball, will present a fresh challenge for both teams. Historically, Australia has excelled in day-night Tests at the Adelaide Oval, but India has also demonstrated success in this format, making it a fiercely contested encounter.
With the series now standing at 1-0 in favour of India, the momentum has shifted in their favour. India, having recovered from a home series whitewash against New Zealand, is riding high, and with regular skipper Rohit Sharma returning to lead the side after the birth of his second child, India will be looking to extend their lead. Rohit has already begun practicing in the nets and is expected to play in the second Test.
The upcoming Adelaide Test is a crucial one for Australia, who will be eager to avoid falling behind 2-0 in the five-match series. Retaining the same squad signals the selectors’ trust in the players’ ability to adapt and improve. However, for Australia to challenge the confident Indian team, significant improvements will be needed both with bat and ball.
As both teams aim for different objectives—India looking to establish a dominant lead and Australia striving to level the series—the Adelaide Test promises to be a high-stakes, thrilling contest under the lights.
