India vs Australia 2025 second ODI full preview — predicted XIs, team changes, pitch report, key players, and fantasy tips ahead of the Adelaide Oval showdown.
🇮🇳 The Stage Is Set
Cricket’s most intense rivalry resumes as the India national cricket team faces the Australia national cricket team in the 2nd ODI of the 2025 series, set for 23 October at the Adelaide Oval.
After Australia’s clinical win in Perth, India trail the series 0-1. This match is more than a contest — it’s a chance for India to bounce back and Australia to tighten their grip. Millions of fans are expected to tune in for what could be a turning point of the tour.
🔙 1st ODI Recap — What Went Wrong for India
- India scored just 136/9 in 26 overs after rain interruptions.
- Australia chased down the revised target comfortably, winning by 7 wickets (DLS method).
- Senior Indian batters, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, failed to adapt to Perth’s bounce.
- India’s bowlers lacked penetration once the new ball lost shine.
Australia, in contrast, were disciplined. Their bowling attack led by Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins strangled India’s top order, while Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith anchored the chase with calm authority.
🏟️ Pitch & Conditions: Adelaide Oval
Adelaide is a different beast from Perth. It offers consistent bounce, true pace, and short square boundaries — ideal for stroke-makers.
Conditions to watch:
- Evening dew: may make chasing easier.
- Mild breeze & cloud cover: could assist early swing.
- Surface nature: flat batting track, but spinners can exploit slight turn late on.
Historically, Adelaide produces first-innings scores around 290–310, making it a high-scoring venue. Teams prefer batting first, but chasing isn’t impossible with proper pacing.
🇮🇳 India’s Predicted Playing XI
India will likely make 2–3 tactical changes from the first ODI. Let’s break down the predicted XI and reasoning.
1️⃣ Rohit Sharma – Senior opener must provide early stability. His record against Australia (over 2,000 ODI runs) speaks for itself.
2️⃣ Shubman Gill (c) – Leading from the front, Gill’s elegant stroke play will be vital. Needs a captain’s knock after a slow start in Perth.
3️⃣ Virat Kohli – A legend at Adelaide, where he averages 60+ in ODIs. Expect a rebound after his rare duck last game.
4️⃣ Shreyas Iyer – Reliable middle-order glue. Tasked with rotating strike and building partnerships.
5️⃣ KL Rahul (wk) – Calm under pressure, Rahul’s dual role as wicketkeeper-batter offers balance.
6️⃣ Yashasvi Jaiswal – Likely inclusion for left-hand variety. His aggressive intent can unsettle Aussie pacers.
7️⃣ Axar Patel – Provides stability at No. 7 with both bat and ball. His economical spells are crucial on true pitches.
8️⃣ Kuldeep Yadav – Expected return to exploit middle overs with wrist-spin. Can change the game flow quickly.
9️⃣ Mohammed Siraj – India’s new-ball spearhead; needs early breakthroughs.
🔟 Arshdeep Singh – Left-arm pace adds angle variation and death-over accuracy.
1️⃣1️⃣ Harshit Rana – Young pacer who can surprise with bounce and aggression.
Bench Options:
Washington Sundar (off-spin & lower-order depth), Nitish Kumar Reddy (power hitter).
Tactical note: India might swap a seamer for an extra spinner if the pitch looks dry by match-time.
🇦🇺 Australia’s Predicted Playing XI
Australia are riding high after their all-round display in Perth. However, they too may rotate slightly to rest senior bowlers and test bench strength.
1️⃣ Travis Head – Explosive left-hand opener. Known for counter-attacking early in powerplays.
2️⃣ Mitchell Marsh (c) – Skipper and in sublime form. His clean hitting at No. 3 or opening makes him key.
3️⃣ Steve Smith – Adelaide specialist. Can adapt his tempo from anchor to aggressor when needed.
4️⃣ Marnus Labuschagne – Brings solidity to the middle order; excellent against spin.
5️⃣ Glenn Maxwell – X-factor player. Capable of changing the game with both bat and off-spin.
6️⃣ Josh Inglis (wk) – Agile behind the stumps and handy in finishing roles.
7️⃣ Marcus Stoinis – Powerful hitter and a proven death-over bowler. Adds perfect balance.
8️⃣ Pat Cummins – Experienced leader with the ball; consistent line and length bowler.
9️⃣ Josh Hazlewood – Australia’s control specialist, tough to score off in the powerplay.
🔟 Adam Zampa – Primary spinner. Will test India’s middle order again with flight and drift.
1️⃣1️⃣ Sean Abbott – Utility seamer with variation; strong lower-order batting option.
Bench: Cameron Green, Matt Short, Nathan Ellis (possible rest-and-rotate picks).
Expect Australia to keep the same structure — depth in batting, variation in bowling, and strong fielding.
🔍 Head-to-Head Snapshot
- Total ODIs: 152
- Australia: 83 wins
- India: 56 wins
- Adelaide record: Slight edge to Australia (6-4).
- Last five ODIs: Australia lead 3-2.
India have improved in chasing totals in recent years, but Australia still dominate early overs with pace and precision.
⚔️ Key Battles to Watch
💥 Kohli vs Hazlewood
Classic matchup of skill and patience. Kohli’s drives against Hazlewood’s disciplined seam will be box-office viewing.
⚡ Gill vs Starc
If Starc returns, expect fiery inswing. Gill’s timing against the new ball could shape the innings.
🔄 Kuldeep vs Smith
A chess match. Kuldeep’s drift and variations vs Smith’s footwork often decide middle-over momentum.
🔥 Maxwell vs Axar Patel
Spin duel. Maxwell’s reverse sweeps vs Axar’s tight angles may determine late-innings fireworks.
🌟 Players to Watch
India:
- Virat Kohli: Motivated, Adelaide specialist.
- Kuldeep Yadav: X-factor spinner.
- Shubman Gill: Captaincy test on foreign soil.
Australia:
- Mitchell Marsh: Form player, all-round impact.
- Adam Zampa: Spin weapon in middle overs.
- Travis Head: Potential game-breaker up front.
💡 Fantasy & Dream11 Tips
Top Picks:
- Virat Kohli – proven match-winner.
- Mitchell Marsh – captain’s form makes him reliable.
- Kuldeep Yadav – wicket-taking threat.
- Adam Zampa – consistent fantasy returns.
Captain Choices: Kohli / Marsh
Vice-Captain Options: Gill / Smith
Differential Pick: Jaiswal – high risk, high reward.
Budget Pick: Arshdeep Singh – wicket chances in both spells.
Always confirm toss and playing XI before finalizing your fantasy team.
🔮 Match Prediction
Both sides look evenly matched, but India’s hunger and experience at Adelaide could tilt things slightly in their favor.
If India bat first and post over 300, they’ll fancy their chances. However, if Australia win the toss, their chasing strength and power hitters may secure another victory.
Prediction: India win narrowly if batting first; Australia edge if chasing.
📈 What Each Team Needs to Do
For India:
- Improve powerplay batting — avoid early collapse.
- Use Kuldeep and Axar smartly between overs 20–40.
- Stay aggressive in field placements.
For Australia:
- Maintain new-ball discipline.
- Target India’s inexperienced lower order.
- Rotate bowlers to stay fresh for Game 3.
🏆 Final Word
The India vs Australia 2025 2nd ODI is set to deliver drama, passion, and top-class cricket.
India seek redemption; Australia eye domination. For fans, it’s a feast — star players, tactical depth, and unpredictable twists.
Stay tuned for live updates, post-match analysis, and in-depth breakdowns right here. Don’t forget to share your predicted XI in the comments — who do you think will shine at Adelaide?