The light is fading, shadow covers the entire Perth pitch.

A debutant is at the crease, while down the other end, at the top of his mark, the world’s most lethal bowler.

Australia faces the impossible task of chasing 534 runs for victory and Nathan McSweeney is just trying to get through to stumps.

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He lasts four balls.

Trapped dead in front by Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah.

This is a whole new ball game.

“In Shield cricket, we get to see guys day in, day out, get used to facing them and when you play the international guys, we have haven’t experienced anything like it”, McSweeney said in an exclusive interview with 9News Adelaide.

“So it’s just a little bit different, unique action and it’s a little bit tricky to pick up some cues but I’ll be better for the run.

“I’m really looking forward to getting another chance out here in Adelaide.”

The second Test is still more than a week away, but the South Australia captain is back at Adelaide Oval, trying to up his game.

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the 25-year-old after being called into the Test side to assume the vacant opener position left by David Warner.

The fact McSweeney typically bats at no. 3 or no. 4 for South Australia became a moot point, Australia needed to fill its gap.

And so he found himself in the middle for one of cricket’s greatest rivalries.

Darren Lehmann handed over a newly minted Baggy Green for the First Test against India.

The proudest of moments, before the tourists provided the ultimate reality check.

“It’s probably sport in a nutshell, the ups and downs,” McSweeney said.

“My family was there to see my cap presentation, and then to go out there and not play the way we wanted was disappointing no doubt.

“Everyone’s really hungry to get back in the nets, train well and prepare really well.”

His knock of 10 in the first innings was followed by a duck as Australia’s batting line-up crumbled in a humiliating 295-run defeat.

For now pressure is firmly focused on Marnus Labuschagne’s ongoing struggles with the bat, but McSweeney knows he won’t be immune from the selectors glare if he can’t make an impact soon.

“As an opening batter, or batter, you’ve got to make runs so it’s important for me to nail my preparation this week”, McSweeney said.

“Go out there and try and make some runs for my country and if I do that I’ll be no worries.

“I’m super excited. Everyone talks about the Adelaide test, and i can’t wait to hopefully get out there and put on a really good performance for us.”

He’ll be learning on the job come the day/night Test given it will be just the second time he’s ever played a pink ball match.