It’s been nearly a decade, yet one of the most iconic murals at Adelaide Airport still captures the electric moment when the Adelaide Oval turned into a sea of blue during the 2015 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan. That night remains etched in cricketing history — a symbol of India’s enduring bond with the Adelaide Oval. This venue holds a special place in the hearts of Indian fans and players alike.

Few Indian cricketers share a deeper connection with this ground than Virat Kohli, who has repeatedly called Adelaide his “favourite venue.” For him, it’s a place of cherished memories, where runs seem to flow effortlessly. However, for Indian cricket as a whole, the Oval has witnessed both the sublime and the Virat Kohli gears up for one final appearance at his beloved Adelaide Oval as India aim to level the ODI series against Australia.shocking — from the historic low of being bowled out for 36 in a Test match to unforgettable triumphs that have defined eras.

As India prepares for the second ODI against Australia, reports suggest a sold-out crowd, hinting at an atmosphere reminiscent of that 2015 spectacle. With India desperate to stay alive in the series, the stakes couldn’t be higher — especially with this likely being Kohli’s final appearance at the iconic venue.

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The weather, too, has played its part in the buildup. Despite spring’s presence, Adelaide has experienced rain and thunderstorms, keeping groundstaff busy with heat lamps over the pitch. Still, conditions are expected to be favourable for batting — much like in recent Sheffield Shield matches.

Kohli looked in sublime touch during practice on Tuesday, while Rohit Sharma, ever the perfectionist, trained extensively over both days. Whether or not Thursday’s encounter earns a place on a mural, it promises a thrilling contest as India seek to craft another unforgettable chapter at their beloved Adelaide Oval — their home away from home.

Australia

Australia welcome key returns with hometown star Alex Carey confirmed in the XI, while Marnus Labuschagne, who spent extra time assessing the pitch and hitting the nets early, is likely to replace Cooper Connolly. Mitch Owen could move down to No.7, and Adam Zampa is expected to come in for Matt Kuhnemann.

Probable XI: Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Matt Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Mitch Owen, Cooper Connolly/Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal drew attention by bowling leg-spin during practice, engaging in chats with selectors and teammates. However, India are unlikely to alter their playing XI from Perth, opting for stability as they aim to level the series against a refreshed Australian lineup.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh