On This Day In 2020: India Bowled Out for 36 in Adelaide's Pink-Ball Test

The Indian cricket team had a remarkable outing during the 2020-21 tour of Australia. India came up with a spectacular series of performances to earn a memorable Test series victory Down Under back then. The start of the Test series, however, did not turn out to be quite smooth.

Facing a lethal Aussie bowling attack, comprising the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, the visitors had to endure an eight-wicket loss in the Test series opener. More than the defeat, the manner in which Indian batters surrendered in the second innings of that pink-ball Test seemed to be simply baffling.

It was on this day back in 2020 that Team India were skittled for a lowly 36 in the second innings of the first Test played at the Adelaide Oval.

Here’s How India’s Wickets Fell:

• 1/7
• 2/7
• 3/15
• 4/15
• 5/15
• 6/19
• 7/26
• 8/26
• 9/31
• 9/36 (Mohammed Shami Retired Hurt)

It still remains India’s lowest-ever total in an innings in the history of Test cricket. Moreover, it was the lowest-ever total registered in the red-ball cricket since 1955. Overall, this is the fifth-lowest total in Test history.

Having resumed the third day of the Test on 9-1, with a lead of 62, Team India lost their eight wickets for 22 runs in the first session.

India’s last man to bat Mohammad Shami retired hurt having injured his arm while facing Australia’s premier fast bowler Pat Cummins. While Cummins scalped four wickets in the second innings, it was his teammate Josh Hazlewood who emerged as Australia’s best performer with the ball. Hazlewood scripted phenomenal figures of 5/8 having bowled five overs.

India’s opening batter Mayank Agarwal was his side’s highest scorer (9) in the second innings.

Batting first, India posted a formidable total of 244 in the first innings. Australia, in response, succeeded in putting up 191 runs on board. Despite securing a first-innings lead, the Virat Kohli-led side failed to make full use of the advantage.

Chasing a meager target of 90, Australia sealed the win in 21 overs. Aussies lost just two wickets in the second innings and the eight-wicket triumph helped them secure a 1-0 lead in the Test series.

The hosts, however, failed to keep their lead intact and ended up losing the Test series. Team India won the second and fourth Tests to complete an epic comeback in the history of the game.