A cricket-mad India reacted with shock and disbelief Sunday after Virat Kohli’s men registered the country’s lowest Test innings score in the opening day-night contest against Australia in Adelaide.
More than the eight-wicket defeat inside three days, it was the spectacular meltdown of India’s vaunted batting lineup in the second innings which dominated discussion in India.
A photo of Kohli with lowered head was printed on the front page of the Times of India newspaper, along with the 10 single-digit scores recorded by the Indian batsmen who were dismissed for 36.
Former Test opener Virender Sehwag also listed the single-digit scores and suggested a cheeky way to banish the memory of this debacle.
Australia dismissed India for their lowest ever Test score of 36 Saturday to leave the host needing 90 to win the opening Test in Adelaide after an incredible batting collapse.
Posted by Sports Tribune on Saturday, 19 December 2020
The Indian Express printed the photo of the manual scoreboard at the Adelaide Oval on its front page reflecting India’s batting capitulation in the day-night Test.
The daily called it a “Day & Nightmare Test” and devoted an entire page to mourn “The Great Indian Batting Collapse.”
Fans on social media wondered how the India team, sponsored by a learning app, could fail a test.
Some former players were more sympathetic though.
The four-Test series continues with matches scheduled in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
