IND vs AUS 2nd ODI: India will level the ODI series in Adelaide - here's why

India faces a crucial second ODI against Australia at Adelaide, needing a series-saving performance from veterans Kohli and Sharma after their Perth defeat. The team grapples with the absence of Pandya and the Adelaide pitch's expected challenges. Australia welcomes back Zampa and Carey, while India ponders bowling options amid batting concerns.

India's Harshit Rana bowls during the one day international cricket match between Australia and India in Perth Australia, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (David Woodley/AAPImage via AP)

India face Australia in a must-win second ODI at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, with focus on struggling veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to deliver series-saving performances after India's seven-wicket loss in Perth. The match will test India's heavy reliance on all-rounders, especially with the absence of Hardik Pandya affecting team balance. India's batting unit struggled in the opening ODI amid multiple rain interruptions, managing only 136 runs which proved insufficient for the bowlers to defend. The Adelaide pitch is expected to offer bounce and lateral movement early in the Australian summer.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill struggle as India falter in first ODI vs Australia

Australia has made changes to their lineup with Matt Kuhnemann being released while Adam Zampa returns after his child's birth. Alex Carey is also back after completing his Sheffield Shield commitments. Rohit Sharma, under pressure with Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings, arrived 45 minutes early for optional practice at Adelaide Oval. He had an extended session with head coach Gautam Gambhir and two throw-down specialists. The practice session saw Rohit move to a different net after the first one was deemed too damp. Gambhir kept close watch throughout the session while Kohli took the day off following Tuesday's extended practice. Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna had extended practice sessions but might not feature in the playing eleven. The team management faces a choice between Washington's restrictive bowling and Kuldeep's attacking options. The shorter boundaries at Adelaide Oval could work against Kuldeep's selection as his leg spin might prove costly if he misses his lengths. India are likely to retain the same eleven from the first ODI despite having options to strengthen either batting or bowling departments.India's ODI record vs Australia at Adelaide Oval India have beaten Australia in the last two meetings that came at this venue. The last loss came in 2008. Matches played: 6 Australia won: 4 India won: 2

DateWinnerMargin15 January 2019IndiaBeat Australia by 6 wickets12 February 2012IndiaBeat Australia by 4 wickets17 February 2008AustraliaBeat India by 50 runs26 January 2000AustraliaBeat India by 152 runs15 December 1991AustraliaBeat India by 6 wickets26 January 1986AustraliaBeat India by 36 runs

The Indian squad includes Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna. Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh with squad members Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa.

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