As India endured another collapse with the bat in the Centurion Test, it reopened some old wounds. The Indian Express takes a look at these…
This was an innings that made your jaws drop in disbelief. When Day 3 began, India had a 62-run lead with nine wickets in hand. Given the attack they had, all India needed was to target Australia 240-260, which would be difficult with the pink ball. Instead, it was a blink-and-you-miss-it phase where 15/2 became 16/6 in the space of 14 deliveries as Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins ransacked India. Not a single batsman touched double figures as India were bowled out for 36 with last man Mohammed Shami out due to injury.
109 all out against Australia at Indore, 2023
Already 2-0 up in the series, with just one win needed, India opted for another corner in Indore. For a team that has struggled against left-arm spinners in the past, this time it was Matthew Kuhnemann’s turn to make his mark. From the moment he dismissed Rohit Sharma, the collapse began as India were bowled out for 109 on the opening day. Australia took a substantial lead, which proved to be a big difference in the end.
124 vs New Zealand in Christchurch, 2020
When the hosts were bowled out for 235 in their first innings, India had a slim lead with plenty of time in the game to force a win. In conditions that usually tend to improve for batting as the game progresses, when the live grass flattens out, India were stunned by Trent Boult and Tim Southee in the evening session on Day 2. New Zealand came back to complete the formalities on Day 3 as India missed a chance to level the series.
107 & 130 vs England at Lord’s, 2018
Where do we start? About their decision to go with two spinners with dark clouds hanging around or about Cheteshwar Pujara running out seconds before he started pouring while going for a narrow single? Batting first, they made only 107 before England replied with 396/7 declared. Murali Vijay picked up a couple and the rest did not thrive as James Anderson and Stuart Broad derailed India. The Test ended on the fourth day, despite the opening day’s play being lost due to rain.
112 vs Sri Lanka at Galle, 2015
Having watched Dinesh Chandimal launch a stunning counter-attack that took Sri Lanka out of trouble, India needed 176 to take a 1-0 lead in a series that was predicted to be a whitewash. Enter Rangana Herath, the left-arm spinner, who spun a web around India’s batting line-up that included KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha. Not once did they appear at home in a slow turn as they lost the game by 63 runs.
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First uploaded on: 28-12-2023 at 23:24 IST