49204084041. No, this is not a telephone number of a company or an individual. This is the scorecard of the Indian cricket team during their second innings in the first Pink Ball Test against Australia in Adelaide on Saturday. India were bowled out for 36, their lowest total in their Test history beating their previous mark of 42 which was set against England in Lord’s in 1974. This was the first time in the history of the Indian cricket team that not a single batsmen reached double figures in the innings. India’s performance was an 88-year low in Australia when it came to Tests but no team has had a dismal show in the last 65 years Down Under.
For the Indian cricket team, it was a nightmare which was unfolding and many fans were left dumbfounded. The scorecard reflected that of a personal phone number of an account number. The unfortunate thing was it was neither and India will have to face an uphill task if they have to bounce back in the four-Test series. India have never won a series outside of Asia after being down 0-1 and with Virat Kohli missing the last three Tests as he is on paternal leave, the chances of India repeating their 2018/19 look very difficult.
India ‘really hurt’
India’s woeful performance saw them throw away the advantage as Australia chased down 90 in grand style to win the match by eight wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the series. In the post-match presentation, Virat Kohli expressed his hurt and shock at the performance.
“It's very hard to put those feeling into words. We had a lead of 60-odd when we arrived. And then just collapsed. Played two days of good cricket to get in a position and then just lose it in an hour. Really hurts. Probably didn't have enough intent in the batting today. It's something that needs to be reflected and learnt from,” Virat Kohli said.
Following the loss, there were plenty of memes and abuse hurled at the Indian cricket team. However, the sad part was that trolls decided to target even Virat Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma, who is soon to become a parent.
This was the eighth win for Australia in Day Night Tests since 2015. Australia have won two Pink Ball Tests against Pakistan, two against New Zealand, one each against England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and India. They are the only team to have a 100 percent record in Pink Ball Tests. Josh Hazlewood’s figures of 5/8 are the most economical spell by a bowler for Australia in 73 years.
In 1947, Ernie Toshack picked up 5/2 against India in Brisbane. Josh Hazlewood also became the 17th Australian pacer to take 200 wickets in Tests when he got rid of Ravichandran Ashwin for 0.
India will next play Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on December 26. In 2018/19, India won the Test after 37 years and they went on to achieve a historic series win to become the first Asian side to win in Australia.
