After getting hammered by India in the opening match, hosts Australia would be hoping that the change of ball will result in a change of fortunes as the much-anticipated pink-ball Test between the sides begins at the Adelaide Oval today.

These two sides have faced off in a day-night Test only once before, at the same venue back in December 2020, in which Aussie pacers ran through India's heavyweight batting line-up in the second innings, bundling them out for just 36 – their lowest ever total in Tests – to set up an eight-wicket win in the series opener.

India, however, recovered from that early set back and won the series 2-1.

This time, it is the hosts who are in need of redemption, after losing to India by 295 runs in the first Test in Perth.

India had to field an understrength eleven in the first game, with regular skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Shubman Gill missing out. But both are set to play in Adelaide with Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel likely to lose their spots.

Rohit is set to demote himself down the order to allow KL Rahul to open the innings, rewarding the batter for scoring a patient 26 in the first innings then a solid 77 in the second in the Perth Test as an opener.

"KL will open. The way he batted and his partnership with Jaiswal was instrumental in that first Test win. The way he has batted outside India, he deserves it. I will bat somewhere in the middle," said Rohit ahead of the game starting on Friday.

Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins admitted the pressure was on, but said they were used to it.

"Any Test match there is pressure. When you're down there's a little bit more, especially when you are at home. But we have been in similar situations in World Cups or other series," he said.

Pacer Josh Hazlewood, the chief destroyer in India's 36-run capitulation four years ago with figures of 5-8, has been ruled out this time due to a side strain. Seamer Scott Boland will replace him, playing his first Test in almost 18 months.

"There's normally a little bit of nip, which suits Scotty quite well. His prep has been really good. He's happy with how his rhythm is.

"As a captain, it's pretty awesome to have Scotty come straight in, who can bowl a huge amount of overs if you need, is super consistent and has performed at this level."