India’s 36 all-out in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Adelaide was a historic and shocking moment in cricket. It happened during the first Test of the series on December 19, 2020, and remains one of the most significant low points in Indian cricket history. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what led to this collapse and its significance:
Series: The match was part of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia.
Venue: The game took place at the Adelaide Oval, a venue known for being one of the most picturesque and traditionally challenging for both batsmen and bowlers.
Date: December 17-19, 2020.
First Innings: India was bowled out for 244 in their first innings on Day 1. Though it wasn’t a great score, it wasn’t considered a disaster at the time. Australia, in response, scored 191.
Second Innings: India, leading by 53 runs, came out to bat on the morning of Day 3 with a chance to build a solid second-innings total and set a challenging target for Australia.
The Collapse: India was bowled out for 36 runs in just 21.2 overs. This was a complete capitulation that stunned cricket fans all around the world. India lost their last 9 wickets for just 36 runs.
Bowling Attack: Australia’s Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc were exceptional. The trio exploited the conditions perfectly, and India had no answer to their relentless pressure. Hazlewood, in particular, was outstanding, picking up 5 wickets for 8 runs.
Top Order Failure: The Indian batsmen had no answer to the Australian seamers. Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli (who had been dismissed for a duck), and Ajinkya Rahane were all dismissed cheaply, and India’s batting crumbled in a heap.
Shubman Gill (45) was the only batter to show any resistance, but his dismissal sparked the collapse.
Panic and Pressure: The collapse was a result of poor shot selection, pressure created by Australia’s bowlers, and the psychological impact of India’s batting collapse in the first innings. It was one of those rare instances in cricket where the batting team was completely overwhelmed.
India’s Record: With 36 runs, India recorded their lowest-ever total in Test cricket, which is also the fifth lowest total in Test history.
New Zealand – 26 all-out against England in 1955 at Auckland.
South Africa – 30 all-out against England in 1924 at Lord’s.
Zimbabwe – 35 all-out against New Zealand in 2005 at Harare.
Australia – 36 all-out against India in 2020 at Adelaide.
India – 36 all-out against Australia in 2020 at Adelaide.
Historic Significance: This 36 all-out score became a part of cricketing lore due to the dramatic nature of the collapse and its timing. India, the No. 1 Test team in the world at the time, had just been bowled out for the second-lowest score in Test history.
Chasing the Target: Australia, chasing a modest target of 90 runs in the fourth innings, achieved it easily in just 21.2 overs, winning the match by 8 wickets.
Impact on the Series: The loss in the first Test was a huge blow to India, both mentally and on the scoreboard. India’s chances of winning the series seemed bleak, but they made a remarkable comeback to win the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1, thanks to resilient performances in the subsequent Tests.
Mental Impact: The collapse of India’s batting line-up for just 36 runs had a huge psychological impact on the team, as they were facing a significant challenge not just in terms of the scoreboard, but also in terms of regaining confidence.
India’s Comeback: After the disaster in Adelaide, India came back strongly. Ajinkya Rahane led India to a famous victory in Melbourne, and despite missing several key players (including Virat Kohli, who returned home for the birth of his child), India went on to win the series in one of the most remarkable comebacks in cricket history.
Lessons Learned: The 36 all-out served as a humbling lesson for Indian cricket. It was a reminder that cricket is a game of mental fortitude, and the team responded by showing immense character and resilience in the later stages of the series.
India’s 36 all-out in Adelaide, 2020, remains one of the most shocking and low points in the team’s Test cricket history. It was a moment that stunned the cricketing world, but India’s subsequent recovery and series victory served as a testament to their resilience and fighting spirit. This collapse will forever be remembered as a defining moment of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which ultimately ended in one of India’s greatest Test series triumphs.
