Mitchell Starc And....? 3 Biggest Threats For India In Pink-Ball Test Match At Adelaide Oval

Mitchell Starc will be a key player for Australia in 2nd Test (Source:@ICC/X.com)

India are off to a great start in the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy, and would now be looking to put aside the horrors of 36 all-out in Adelaide and make it two in two in this five-match Test series. However, the challenge would not be easy as Aussies are expected to come out hard after losing the first game, and they have been pretty successful in day-night Tests as well.

The pink-ball tends to do a lot more than the traditional red ball and the Kangaroos have always cherished playing with it. Their pacers have especially enjoyed bowling in day-night Tests and could pose some serious problems to Indian batting line-up in the second Test. Their batters too are more experienced in day-night Tests than Indian batters, so Australia surely would be looking to make things even in this second Test at the Adelaide Oval.

There is plenty of quality in the Australian line-up, and anyone of them can be match-winner in this Test, but here are three players who can be the biggest threat for India in the upcoming clash.

---

ALSO READ

Virat Kohli's Record In Pink-Ball Tests: Check How India Great Has Performed In D/N Matches

---

Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc is surely one of the biggest threats with his ability to swing the ball at pace and brilliant record in day-night Tests. He has played 12 pink-ball Tests and has picked 66 wickets in it at a stunning average of 18.71. He has three five-wicket hauls as well and can get very dangerous with his ability to target stumps under lights.

The pink-ball also skids off the pitch quickly and Starc can use that to his advantage as he has  done in the past. Also, he has been in good form lately and picked six wickets in an innings in a sheffield game too.

Mitchell Starc in Pink-Ball Tests

Pat Cummins

The pacers are likely to dominate in this game and one can never rule out Australian captain, Pat Cummins. He is known for his accuracy and can get some good movement off the deck, making him a handy customer only only in pink-ball Tests but in longest format in general. Just like Starc, his average in day-night Tests is brilliant at 18.35 and he has picked 34 wickets in seven Tests. 

He has picked 10 wickets in a day-night Test once and also has a fifer, so he knows how to extract help with pink-ball and could pose problems to the Indian batters with his immaculate lines and lengths as most of them like to get on with the game.

Pat Cummins in Pink-Ball Tests

Travis Head

Travis Head is one of the most dangerous batters in the world and he becomes even more lethal against India. In the Perth Test too, he displayed his power-game in the second innings when all other Aussie batters struggled and he would be a big threat in the second Test. He has a good record in pink-ball Tests too. 

In 12 innings, he has scored 543 runs at an average of 49.36 and a strike rate of close to 70. He has two hundreds and three fifties and it is his ability to take the game away from the opposition with his power-hitting skills that makes him a player to watch out.

Travis Head in Pink-Ball Tests

---

ALSO READ

3 Reasons Why India Are Favourites To Win Adelaide Pink-Ball Test

---