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.