Sunil Gavaskar has expressed a strong belief that India has the ability to make a comeback in the ongoing Day-Night Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, despite a challenging start to the match. At the close of play on the opening day, India found themselves in a difficult position after being bowled out for a modest total of 180 in their first innings. Australia, having faced very little resistance in their chase, brought the deficit down to just 94 runs, with nine wickets still in hand. This puts India in a precarious situation, with their backs firmly against the wall.
Despite the difficult position, Gavaskar remains optimistic, drawing on India’s previous experience in similar situations. He highlighted the team's resilience during the Perth Test, where India was bowled out for just 150 runs in the first innings, but still managed to come back strongly, taking a 46-run lead. This, he believes, demonstrates the potential of this Indian team to fight back, no matter how dire the situation may seem. Gavaskar is confident that India has the ability to replicate that performance in Adelaide, though he stressed the importance of adjustments in the team’s bowling strategy.
He told India Today, “As we saw in Perth, even a score of 150 was good enough for the Indians to get a small lead of 46 runs. Clearly, this Indian team is capable of striking back. All that they need to do is bowl a better length than what they did in the evening.” Gavaskar’s focus was on the bowling attack, urging them to find better lines and lengths to put the Australian batters under pressure. The Indian bowlers need to make key breakthroughs and deliver the right kind of performance in the second innings to stay in the game.
Gavaskar also emphasized the importance of targeting key Australian players in their batting lineup. Specifically, he pointed out the need to dismiss key players like Travis Head and Steve Smith early. He noted, “If they get four wickets, including that of Travis Head and Steve Smith in the first innings, then India can come back. They might not be able to get a big lead, but they will still be in the game.” His words reflect the belief that, although a large lead may not be realistic, taking crucial wickets would put India in a better position to make a strong comeback.
It is also important to recognize the context of this match. Australia has been virtually invincible in pink-ball Tests at Adelaide Oval since the introduction of the format. The Australians have won all seven of their pink-ball Tests in Adelaide, starting from November 2015. Furthermore, they were dominant in their last encounter with India on this ground during the 2020-21 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where they defeated India by eight wickets. This record adds an extra layer of pressure to India's task, as they are up against a team that has mastered the conditions at this venue.
With their backs firmly against the wall, it remains to be seen whether India can rally and claw their way back into the game. The Indian team will need to take inspiration from their past comebacks and focus on executing the basics with greater precision. The road to recovery will require a disciplined and resilient approach, especially in the second innings. Given the challenges they face, the coming days in the Adelaide Test will be crucial for India, as they look to turn around their fortunes and make a strong statement in the ongoing series.
