Image: Steve Smith is focused on adapting to the challenges of the pink-ball Test / © BDCricTime
For the 2nd Test between India and Australia, the excitement is palpable as the teams gear up for the pink-ball encounter in Adelaide. Following a dominant 295-run victory in the series opener, India leads the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-0 and looks to extend their advantage.
Australia, however, is eager to bounce back. Steve Smith, who managed just 0 and 17 in Perth, stressed the importance of staying focused with the unpredictable pink ball. He said:
Yeah, pink ball. So it can be challenging at different times of the day or night, depending on where you bat and the situation of the game and ball, and all those kinds of things. So just being really switched on. The pink ball can be a little bit unpredictable at times. So yeah, just being really focused.
This will be the second-ever day-night Test between these two sides; the first, in 2020, saw Australia secure a commanding eight-wicket win after bowling India out for a record-low 36 in the second innings.
Australia’s Travis Head, with two centuries and three fifties in pink-ball Tests, is confident of a strong show on his home turf. India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, will look to exploit Adelaide’s conditions. With high stakes and unique challenges, fans are in for an enthralling contest under the lights.