Arguably the most important Test match in recent memory for Australia begins on Friday, as they look to get back in the series in Adelaide. The pink ball always provides thrilling clashes, and we’re set for another one this week. Jack Tobin has you covered with his full preview below!
Australia vs India: 2nd Test Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide Oval, Friday 6th December, 2:30pm AEDT
Australia
Predicted XI: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
Australia have been dealt a massive blow, losing Josh Hazlewood with a side strain suffered in the opening Test. Hazlewood was Australia’s best bowler in the first Test taking 4/29 in the first innings, and has been Australia’s most prolific bowler in 2024 with 34 wickets at an average of 13.35. Scott Boland will be the likely replacement, looking to continue his remarkable record at home, where he has taken 28 wickets at an average of 12.21.
The other potential issue for Australia is Mitch Marsh, who pulled up sore after bowling 17 overs in the first Test. Marsh is likely to play as a specialist batsman, which means Australia will have to look to Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head as the fifth bowler, which isn’t ideal for the conditions that will likely be on display in Adelaide.
If Australia are any chance to bounce back they need a massive lift from their top four, who scored 29 runs across the first Test, the lowest score from an Australian top four ever in a Test match. Across their last 16 Test innings Khawaja is averaging 30, Smith is averaging 29 and Labuschagne is averaging 23. Across their last nine innings where they’ve lost at least four wickets, Australia have been 4/31, 4/17, 4/107, 4/34, 4/89, 4/81, 4/24, 4/113, 4/113.
India
Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Despite winning by 295 runs in one of the greatest victories in the history of Indian cricket, India could be set to make three changes to their side from the first Test. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will almost certainly come in for Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal. The interest around the Indian captain will be whether he opens or bats in the middle given the 201 run partnership Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul produced in Perth. Ravindra Jadeja is firming as a strong chance to replace Washington Sundar.
Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah produced an iconic performance in Perth to blast Australia out in the first innings to set India on path to victory. Bumrah’s 5/30 in the first innings completely changed the game, and he backed it up in the second innings with 3/42. The prospect of Bumrah bowling under lights with the pink ball in Adelaide, looms as a major danger for Australia.
Another massive positive for India was a return to form for their batters in the second innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal (161), Virat Kohli (100*) and KL Rahul set the platform for an unbeatable lead as India piled on 6/487, in what was only the second time in their past five games that they scored more than 260.
Match Prediction
The series is all but on the line for Australia given a 2-0 deficit would be nearly impossible to come back from. Australia have been outstanding in day night Test matches winning 11 out of their 12 day night Tests, including a perfect 7 out of 7 record at Adelaide Oval. The only day night Test between Australia and India was back in 2020, where Australia bowled India out for 36 in the second innings en route to a 8 wicket win.
It certainly will be a much closer fixture this time around, and the timing of having the new ball during sunset and late in the evening will be a massive factor as it has shown in the near decade of day night Test matches. Although the Australians were embarrassed in the opening game of the series, this side is too strong to not bounce back given what they’ve shown in the three years under Pat Cummins.
Australia to Win
$1.78 (1 Unit)
Prop Bet
The safest way to look in the run scorer market for Australia is in the middle and lower order, with Alex Carey just five runs off being the top scorer in the opening innings of the first Test, with Mitchell Starc leading the scorers. Mitch Marsh (344 runs at 86) and Travis Head (357 runs at 59.50) have been the leading run scorers over the last two summers, with Head scoring a century at Adelaide last year, in a Test where no other Australian scored 50.
Head has a brilliant record at his home ground, with 494 runs at an average of 70.57, with two centuries and two half centuries. His last four innings at Adelaide Oval have produced returns of 119, 38*, 175 and 51.
Travis Head: Australian Top Run Scorer 1st Innings
$5.40
