Both India and Australia are yet to settle on their opening combination heading into the pink-ball Test. Both teams have had injuries to frontline openers and doubts remain over the current form of available contenders. So how will the teams go about it in Adelaide come Thursday?
The pink ball in itself poses numerous challenges, especially during the twilight hours. Teams, therefore, must pick a pair of technically sound and temperamentally tough openers to deal with the challenging ebb and flow of a pink-ball innings. Also, captains will often plan to put the opposition in when the lights have come on and dusk is hovering.
Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, while playing his cards very close to his chest regarding India’s choice of openers, shed some light on the characteristics of the pink ball and suggested that batsmen who can “focus” and “concentrate” during the tough “40-50 minute (twilight) period” will be preferred.
For India, at least four middle-order slots fit the bill: Rahane himself, Kohli, Vihari and Pujara. What then of the top two? Rahane said the new pink ball will “move a little” at the beginning, and then “it gets easy after that”. It is being assumed that India have at least one set-in-stone opener in Mayank Agarwal who will weather this initial storm.
Agarwal was a revelation during India’s last tour Down Under and is averaging 52.71 from his last 5 Tests. This time, however, he is expected to perform, so there will be pressure
Reportedly, Kohli has spent some time with him in the nets and Agarwal, most likely, is pencilled in. He will have his hands full coping with the extra bounce and reining in a tendency to poke at deliveries, but patience might see him through.
“In those 40-50 minutes, once the lights are on, the pace of the ball increases, both off the wicket and in the air. If we focus hard, it becomes easy again. Communication will be key among the two batsmen,” Rahane said. ( TOI)
