File photo of MS Dhoni leading the Indian team in a Test match.
© AFP
Four days after a thrilling opener at the Adelaide Oval, India and Australia will be back on the field for the second Test of the four-match series. Within the space of four days, both teams will walk out with different captains but hopefully the same attitude that helped style a fascinating Test match over the last week. While the spunky Virat Kohli will make way for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a young and energetic Steve Smith will step in for injured Aussie leader Michael Clarke. (Live Scorecard | Live Updates)
Dhoni has led India in 58 Tests while Smith will lead Australia in Test cricket for the first time ever. Without Clarke, Smith can still hope for plenty of support from the likes of Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and David Warner. Will India fancy their chances against a team that suddenly finds itself without one of the most successful captains in contemporary cricket?
Australia 1-0 up despite heroic efforts by Kohli and Murali Vijay in a chase of 364, should be optimistic about pressing home the advantage on the quick paced Gabba, which has been a nightmare for visiting batsmen, especially ones from the sub-continent. Smith will bank on two fresh pacers, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to play the perfect foil with Mitchell Johnson and terrorise the Indians.
Dhoni on the other hand, has said India will not be scared off by Australia's firepower in the pace department. The captain has been impressed with Kohli's leadership, which he admitted was very different from his own - but Dhoni has assured fans of playing the same aggressive brand of cricket that saw the team almost pull off a heist on Saturday.
In the absence of Clarke, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, the Australian XI still look settled and can pose to be a major threat in lively conditions in Brisbane.
India will of course see some changes too. Dhoni's return will mean Wriddhiman Saha sits out and there is a possibility Ravichandran Ashwin might push out leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who looked out of sorts on debut in Adelaide.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni to Lead in Brisbane Test
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will return from injury to lead India in Wednesday's second Test against Australia in Brisbane, the visiting team said on Tuesday. (Read full story)
Steve Smith Gets Ricky Ponting's Backing as Australia's Test Captain
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Steve Smith acknowledges the crowd after reaching his century in Adelaide.
© AFP
Dhoni Promises Aggressive Intent From India at Gabba
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is fit and raring to go against Australia in the second Test starting Wednesday at the Gabba here, asserted that their approach will be aggressive. Dhoni, who missed the One-Day International (ODI) series at home against Sri Lanka and the first Test at the Adelaide Oval, has fully recovered from a hairline fracture in his thumb and is back at the helm. (Read Full)
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