Sense of hope and optimism quickly turned into fear and despair as India suffered their worst collapse in the history of Test cricket on Day 3 of the Adelaide D/N encounter against Australia.
The tourists were bowled out for just 36 in their second innings in 21.2 overs, their lowest total in Test matches, less than the infamous 42 they made against England on the disappointing 1974 tour.
The Australian pace battery wreaked havoc with a shiny new pink-ball, delivering some unplayable deliveries which the Indians weren't able to escape off.
After opener Prithvi Shaw was dismissed by Pat Cummins last night for just 4 runs, the Indian team resumed play at 9/1.
First to go on the day was nightwatchman Jasprit Bumrah (2) after he ballooned a slower ball back into the hands of Cummins.
The ace quick was in no mood of providing any let off as he then got Cheteshwar Pujara (0) out edging a peach of a delivery that seamed away late after pitching.
Josh Hazlewood was introduced first-change and he started right on the money from Australia's perspective, dismissing opener Mayank Agarwal (9) with a beauty. Hazlewood then tempted Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (0) with a full one, which the veteran batsman edged back to the wicketkeeper.
After showing a great level of restraint through his knock of 74 in the first innings and avoiding the risky drive outside off stump, skipper Virat Kohli (4) was out playing one here as the diving gully fielder made no mistake in grabbing hold of the catch. This was Cummins' fourth for the innings.
With the situation allowing Australia to put more catching fieldsmen in place, Hazlewood got Wriddhiman Saha (4) playing straight into the hands of the short mid-wicket fielder.
Ravichandran Ashwin (0) was the next to follow, with Hazlewood getting one more batsman out edging. Hazlewood then completed a much-deserved five-fer with the wicket of last specialist batsman Hanuma Vihari (8), again an edge flying back to the wicketkeeper Tim Paine.
Last man in, Mohammad Shami (1), unfortunately, got hurt on his hand while trying to play a bouncer from Cummins. The pacer was forced to retire hurt after the Indian physio came in and checked the blow.
Cummins (4/21) and Hazlewood (5/8) ended with astonishing bowling figures to put Australia well in the ascendency as they now need just 90 runs to go 1-0 up in the four-match Test series.
The hosts had earlier conceded a lead of 53 runs to the Indians after making just 191 in response to their 244.
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