The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 6. This highly anticipated clash will be a pink-ball Test, which could prompt some strategic changes to India’s lineup following their impressive win in Perth.

Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri weighed in on the potential squad adjustments, advocating for pacer Akash Deep’s inclusion. Shastri emphasized the unique challenges posed by the pink ball, which retains its lacquer longer and tends to swing and seam more than the traditional red ball. Considering these factors, Shastri suggested that Akash Deep could be a more effective option than Harshit Rana in the Adelaide Test.

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Speaking on the ICC Review, Ravi Shastri said, “The pink ball with extra lacquer is harder and might seam around a bit and swing. While Harshit Rana performed well in the first Test, conditions in Adelaide could favor Akash Deep. I’d definitely keep him in the mix, assess the pitch, and decide based on the need for extra bounce or pace.”

India’s dominance in the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium was remarkable. Despite both sides faltering in their first innings, India turned the tables in the second innings with stellar centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli. Their mammoth total set Australia a daunting target of 534, and the hosts crumbled under pressure, managing only 238 in response.

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With a commanding 295-run victory, India leads the five-match series and looks to extend their advantage in Adelaide. As the pink ball brings its own set of challenges, India will aim to fine-tune their strategy and deliver another clinical performance to stay ahead in the series.