All Eyes on Virat Kohli at Adelaide: After a long-awaited return to international cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had a forgettable outing in Perth as India lost the first ODI against Australia by seven wickets in a rain-hit contest. The match saw India’s batting collapse to 136/9 in just 26 overs, leaving fans heartbroken. For Kohli, who was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc, it was not the comeback fans had hoped for.
But cricket, as always, is a game of second chances. The upcoming second ODI at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23, could be that moment of redemption — not just for Kohli, but for Team India as they fight to keep the series alive.
India Seek Balance and Redemption in Adelaide
India trail 0-1 in the three-match series, and with the series on the line, the team management may look to tweak the playing XI for better balance. The Adelaide surface traditionally offers something for spinners, which could open the door for Kuldeep Yadav, who was the top wicket-taker in Asia Cup 2025.
Washington Sundar, who had little impact with either bat or ball in the first match, may make way for Kuldeep. However, given the forecast of more rain in Adelaide, India could once again go with an all-rounder-heavy lineup, including Washington and Nitish Reddy, to maintain batting depth.
Another big decision could involve Prasidh Krishna, who may replace Harshit Rana. Prasidh brings experience and rhythm, having recently impressed in red-ball cricket against England. His control and bounce could be vital against the Australian top order.
The Middle Order Puzzle: KL Rahul’s Crucial Role
In Perth, KL Rahul top-scored for India with a fluent 38 off 31 balls, showing calmness amidst chaos. Promoting him to No. 5 could give India more solidity and direction in the middle overs, especially if the top order struggles again on the bouncy Australian pitches.
Shreyas Iyer, who looked rusty, will also need to find rhythm quickly. The combination of Kohli, Iyer, and Rahul in the middle order could decide India’s fate in Adelaide. Fans are expecting a much better batting show this time around, especially from the senior pros who’ve carried Indian cricket for over a decade.
Kohli’s Date With Destiny at Adelaide Oval
For Virat Kohli, Adelaide Oval is not just another ground — it’s a special place that has witnessed some of his most iconic innings. Now, as he steps out to bat in the second ODI, he stands on the brink of multiple historic milestones.
Kohli has scored 18,368 runs in white-ball cricket so far (14,181 in ODIs and 4,188 in T20Is). He needs just 68 more runs to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary tally of 18,436 white-ball runs — a record many thought might never be broken.
But that’s not all. Kohli could also become the first visiting batsman in cricket history to score 1000 runs at Adelaide Oval across all formats. He currently has 527 runs in Tests and 244 in ODIs at this venue. A big score in this match could help him achieve this rare feat.
The Records Within Reach
If Kohli manages to score a century at Adelaide, he will:
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Become the first visiting player to hit six centuries at this venue (across formats).
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Surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 51 centuries in one format, becoming the first in the world to reach 52 centuries.
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Achieve his 30th overseas century, breaking Tendulkar’s record of 29 tons away from home.
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With just 49 runs, become the first player to score 2500 ODI runs against Australia in 50 or fewer innings.
These numbers aren’t just statistics — they’re symbols of Kohli’s unmatched consistency and his relentless pursuit of excellence. For fans, seeing him bat at Adelaide feels like watching destiny unfold once again.
Australia Look to Seal the Series
Meanwhile, Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, will aim to close out the series early. With power-hitters like Travis Head, Matthew Short, and Josh Philippe, along with the ever-dangerous pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, the Aussies look strong and confident.
Their bowlers exploited Perth’s bounce beautifully, and they’ll look to do the same in Adelaide. However, with a slightly slower surface expected, India’s spinners might find some assistance if conditions stay dry.
India vs Australia 2nd ODI: Match Details
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Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
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Venue: Adelaide Oval, Australia
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Toss: 8:30 AM IST
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Match Start: 9:00 AM IST
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Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
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Live Streaming: JioCinema and Hotstar
India Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar/Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Reddy, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
Australia Probable XI: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Josh Philippe (wk), Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood.
All Eyes on Virat Kohli at Adelaide: The Moment of Truth
For India, the Adelaide ODI is more than just a match — it’s a test of pride and resilience. For Kohli, it’s a chance to remind the world that the king still reigns. The world will be watching as he walks out at one of his favourite grounds, hoping to script another unforgettable chapter in his legendary career.
Disclaimer: This article is based on available match previews, player statistics, and expert analysis. Actual match outcomes and player performances may vary. The intent is purely informational and aimed at cricket enthusiasts.
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