India headed down under in 2020-21 with an aim to win a consecutive series. They had the services of their captain, Virat Kohli, for just a single Test. Kohli was to leave the team post the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. India won the T20I series 2-1 while losing the ODI series 1-2 prior to the 4-Test rubber. Here is India’s Lowest Score In Test Cricket History.
The visiting Indian side was without the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma in whites. It was expected to be a stern challenge for the visitors. They had the chance to write history but the task was daunting.
How was Australia placed before the start of the series?
Many cricketing experts had doubts regarding India’s maiden series win in Australia in 2018-19. The Australian team didn’t have the services of David Warner and Steve Smith, as the duo was handed a suspension. Their absence robbed some sheen off the historic series win that India managed.
India won despite Australia possessing arguably the best bowling attack in the world. This time the Australian unit was back in full strength. Their batting behemoths were back in the side. While their bowling arsenal just got stronger. India had a steep challenge.
How did India go about in the First Test?
India was playing just their second pink-ball Test match. Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first at Adelaide. India was quite well placed at 189-3 with Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease. But an ill-fated call resulted in Kohli’s runout. India lost their last 7 wickets for 55 runs. They were bowled out for 244.
India had drifted away from the advantage they held. The Indian bowlers came out all guns blazing. They reduced Australia to 111-7. But Australian captain, Tim Paine staged a fine rearguard action. Australia managed to score 191 in their second essay.
The sorry tale of India’s second innings:
India had a lead of 53. It appeared quite a decent one at the end of Australia’s innings. But who knew what was in store. India lost the wicket of Prithvi Shaw early in the second innings. Jasprit Bumrah walked in as a night watchman. Mayank Agarwal and Bumrah saw off the day.
It was Day 3 and India was expected to stretch their lead to 250-270 runs. The pink ball was still moving a lot and a total of that sort would put India in the driver’s seat. India lost Bumrah immediately on the third morning. The score read 15-2. It soon became 15-3 when Cheteshwar Pujara too departed. In no time the scorecard read 15-5 with India’s top order blown away.
India’s Lowest Score In Test Cricket: An embarrassment that shook the nation!
Virat Kohli tried to stage a counterattack. He fished across an away-going delivery and India was 6 down for 19 runs. Batters arrived at the crease, only to nick and depart to the pavilion. The procession continued with no batter able to arrest the slide. Mohammad Shami, the last batsman was hit on his wrist and retired hurt. India’s Lowest Score In Test Cricket innings folded for just 36 runs.
Mayank Agarwal was the top scorer with 9 runs. 4 9 2 0 4 0 8 4 0 4 1, this was India’s scorecard on that fateful day. It resembled a mobile number. India went on to lose the game and trailed 0-1 in the series. Indian fans can never really forget 19th December 2020. It changed Indian cricket and the rest of the series was a testament to that fact. Finally team India created a record of Lowest Score In Test Cricket History.
