The highly anticipated pink-ball clash at Manuka Oval on Saturday against PM XI was abandoned without a ball bowled, leaving India with only Sunday to make the most of their preparations—if the rain clears up and the pitch conditions improve.

Captain Rohit Sharma and opener Shubman Gill were hoping to use the game to get back into rhythm. Rohit missed India’s massive 295-run victory in Perth due to the birth of his first child, while Gill, sidelined with a thumb injury, only recently returned to practice.

Gill expressed optimism about his recovery after his first session back.
“For the first couple of days, I was quite low, a bit disappointed,” he told BCCI media. “But training went much better than I expected, and I’m very happy with the outcome.”

India has limited experience in pink-ball Tests, having played only four, with the last one in March 2022.

Sunday’s Make-or-Break Match

Should the weather cooperate, Sunday will see a one-day match  agaisnt PM XI replacing the abandoned fixture. India’s squad includes big names like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and R Ashwin, while the Prime Minister’s XI, led by Jack Edwards, features seasoned players like Matthew Renshaw and Scott Boland.

Boland, a standout performer in recent Tests, remains with the PM’s XI but is tipped to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s lineup for the second Test.

Revised Schedule for the Pink-Ball Match

If play goes ahead, the following session times are set for the game:

• First innings: 2:40 PM – 6:10 PM
• Interval: 6:10 PM – 6:40 PM
• Second innings: 6:40 PM – 10:10 PM

As the clock ticks down to the day-night Test in Adelaide, the Indian team is keeping its fingers crossed for a chance to fine-tune its game under the lights with the pink ball.

Both teams and their supporters are hoping the skies clear up for an action-packed Sunday in Canberra.