Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: What will be Team India's bowling attack in Adelaide for day/night Test match?
The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) moves to Adelaide, where Australia hosts India in a pink-ball Test match starting on December 6. In the opening match of the series, India thrashed the Aussies by a huge margin of 295 runs, thanks to splendid performances from their bowlers.
As India go into the Day-Night Test with a lead, it will be interesting to see how their bowling combination evolves. In the Perth Test, India fielded a pace attack comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and two debutants (Hashit Rana and Nitish Rana). Washington Sundar played as the lead spinner ahead of the highly experienced duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
These bowlers, led by Burmah, were responsible for India’s stunning comeback in the Perth Test and ultimately the win. So, what will the India think tank decide concerning their bowling attack in the Day-Night Test at Adelaide?
Retaining the winning combination
India will likely enter the pink-ball Test with the same set of bowlers they had in Perth and not disturb the winning combination. As mentioned, Bumrah leading the side was the star performer of that game, picking eight wickets including a match-defining spell of 5/30 in the first innings.
He was ably supported by Siraj, who scalped five in the game, (2/20 & 3/51) and debutant Harshit Rana (3/48 & 1/69). Off-spinner Sundar and Nitish Reddy chipped in with wickets in the final innings of the Test match.
Akash Deep replacing Harshit Rana could be the only change
Since it is a long series, India may be thinking of rotating their pacers. This could mean that Harshit Rana, despite having a great international debut game, makes way for Akash Deep. The latter is a “hit to deck” bowler and has played five Tests, taking 10 wickets thus far. He would find these conditions suitable for him and could be a surprise element. This will also keep Rana fresh through the course of this five-match series.
Experience of D/N Tests would count
Out of all the pacers, only Jasprit Bumrah has played a day-night Test at Adelaide. In fact, he is the only pacer from India to have played any pink-ball game at the Test level. Sundar is the other player who has played in a D/N Test. The all-rounder played a solitary game against England at Ahmedabad back in 2021. So, this means, even Siraj will be playing his first day-night Test match.
Bumrah has featured in three Pink-ball Test matches, picking 10 wickets at an impressive average of 14.50. The pacer picked two wickets (2/79) in the last D/N Test these two sides (India and Australia) played at Adelaide.
While the likes of Siraj, Rana, Akash Deep, and Nitish Reddy, may not have played a pink-ball Test, each of these Adelaide hopefuls have got good match practice in India’s game against the Prime Minister’s XI at Canberra Oval. Rana was the pick of the bowlers taking 4/44, while Siraj bowled seven overs picking 1/18 and Akash finished with 2/58. Sundar too had a decent all-round outing in a game where Bumrah was given a rest.
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