India's historic maiden away D/N Test is one of the most anticipated features of the forthcoming tour of Australia and batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar, feels adjusting to the conditions in Adelaide will be key for the tourists to come out victorious.
India have a mountain to the climb right at the beginning of the Test series, considering their lack of experience in the pink-ball version, something the Aussies have in abundance playing at home.
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The visitors have only played one previous D/N Test in November last year versus Bangladesh, whereas the hosts have had it as a regular part of their home summer calendar since 2015.
Tendulkar said adopting a new tempo for run-making and identifying the right time to declare will be crucial from both teams' perspective.
"Probably due to difference in timing, you have to score those quick runs in the first session of the day which is afternoon when the pitch will be flat. The pink ball starts seaming around in twilight and that''s the ideal time to bowl," Tendulkar told PTI.
"So pacing the innings and the timing of declaration becomes very critical. Suppose, you have a decent score on board and you are 8 down at the sunset, you should declare rather than going for an extra 20 runs."
"Put the opposition in during that twilight hour and take two to three wickets straight up. That will be more valuable than those 20 runs."
The pink-ball usually does more in the air and off the deck for bowlers at all stages, but Tendulkar thinks those wickets in the twilight period are made more important by the fact that the dew follows anytime soon.
"Get the top-order out when the grass cover on the pitch is cool but not wet. If the grass is cool then there will be seam movement but if it''s wet, then it will go straight and just skid through the surface."
"Once the outfield gets wet and if some dew is on offer, then it will be easy for batsmen."
From India's point of view, a solid opening combination will obviously help, not just in Adelaide but the rest of the series. However, given the uncertainty around Rohit Sharma's injury, it isn't yet clear who two will be seen at the top.
"Mayank (Agarwal), I know, is a confirmed starter because he has scored big runs and if Rohit is fit and available, then he should be there," said Tendulkar.
"Between other guys (Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul), that will be the management''s decision as they would be knowing who''s the form man."
Tendulkar reckons with Australia's two most experienced players, Steve Smith and David Warner back, and Marnus Labuschagne gaining in prominence, the home team batting unit looks better than India's at the moment.
"Smith, (David) Warner and (Marnus) Labuschagne will be a factor and I am confident that the Indian team will leave no stone unturned as far as preparations are concerned."
"These two seniors back in the team and also with Labuschangne in there, it makes it a much better batting unit. It will be a bit more competitive series and I am sure India is ready for it."
Regular captain Virat Kohli's absence in the last three Tests will definitely create a void, but Tendulkar feels it'll also be an opportunity for someone else to step-up. Kohli returns home after the D/N Test as he awaits the birth of his first child in early January.
"Virat not being there without a doubt is a big void but also on the other hand, the kind of bench strength that we have and the talent that is available, it is a good opportunity for somebody to establish himself," Tendulkar said.
"I would put Cheteshwar Pujara''s name along with Virat. These two players have played together more than anyone else. There is Ajinkya Rahane as well but he has not played as consistently in the playing XI as Pujara and Virat," he signed off.
