Virat Kohli turns frustration into fire in 45-min high-intensity net grind, Rohit Sharma seeks Josh Hazlewood fix

For an Indian cricket fan in the post-2000s era, Adelaide brings mixed memories. The iconic venue has often been a happy hunting ground for the Indian team in ODIs, with the Men in Blue remaining unbeaten at the Oval since 2008. Virat Kohli has consistently been the star attraction at the ground, scoring 244 runs in ODIs alone, including two centuries. Across formats, Kohli has played 12 matches at the venue, amassing 975 runs at an astonishing average of 65.

That said, the South Australian ground also holds a painful memory: the infamous 36-all-out in the first Test of the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It was a shocking collapse on an otherwise unforgettable tour, where India mounted a historic comeback to win the series. Now, the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, returns to Adelaide after a demoralising loss to Mitchell Marsh's Australia in the opening ODI.

The opening match in Perth exposed India’s ongoing struggle against quality pace bowling on bouncy surfaces. The Indian batting lineup was dismantled once again, reminiscent of the difficulties they faced during the 2024–25 tour of Australia. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, returning to international cricket after a seven-month break, failed to make an impact and were unable to match the intensity and pace of the contest.