Team India resumed play on Day 3 of the Adelaide Test with their overall lead reading 62 runs. At 9/1, India were soon reduced to 19-6 and further succumbed to 36/9 retired hurt. With such a colossal surrender, India attained a new low by registering their all-time lowest score in whites. The visitors’ previous lowest Test total was 42, versus England at Lord’s in 1974.
The list is still topped by New Zealand and they are followed by a plethora of low-scores put up by South Africa, three coming against England, before India occupied the 7th spot, being reduced for a paltry and shambolic 36/9 in 21.2 overs on Saturday (December 19).
India started their day at 9/1 with nightwatchman Jasprit Bumrah and opener Mayank Agarwal in the middle. While Bumrah fell for a 17-ball 2, negating any further threat after coming out in the last few overs in the second day’s play, he couldn’t add much to his score. Mayank became the third-fastest Indian to reach 1,000 runs in the format before making the long walk back to the pavillion.
After that, it was a colossal surrender by the Indian team with the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, skipper Virat Kohli, Wriddhiman Saha, Hanuma Vihari, etc., falling in quick succession due to the relentless pressure created by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood (5 for 8).
On Friday (December 18), Indian bowlers had restricted Australia for a paltry 191 before being dismissed for 244. Despite a handy 53-run lead in the day-night Test in Adelaide, the visitors have conceded the momentum to Australia and star on the brink of a heavy defeat in the series opener with only 90 to defend.
