After frustrating Australian bowlers and fielders for almost two days during the third Test at the MCG, Indian middle order went downhill in the second innings today. The Indian middle order (No. 3 to 6) suffered a humiliating batting collapse as they could score just six runs.
The batting collapse was so rapid that they equalled a 72-year-old Indian record. The last time India’s middle order could put on just 6 runs was in before independence against England at Manchester in 1946. The next in the list of lows was against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 1969 (9 runs) followed by an equally bad performance against West Indies in Ahmedabad in 1983.
The top scorers in the first innings, Cheteshwar Pujara (106) and Virat Kohli (82), got out for ducks. Ajinkya Rahane (34) and Rohit Sharma (unbeaten 63) helped put on a big total in first innings, but they too got out cheaply scoring just 1 and 5 respectively.
Pat Cummins this arvo: W . W . . . W W
Oh what a feeling! #AUSvIND | @toyota_aus pic.twitter.com/weKfyagT4B
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2018
Pat Cummins may have bowled the spell of his life by taking Hanuma Vihari’s wicket, but the wickets of Kohli and Pujara stole the show as it turned the momentum in hosts’ favour. Cummins got four wickets in just 6 overs. He didn’t let batsmen off the hook even once by bowling two maidens, and giving away just 10 runs.
The 25-year-old was lauded for turning the tide a little in Australia’s favour after they toiled for 11 sessions in the Test:
Pat Cummins is lion-hearted, thoughtful with his craft and bowls very, very quickly. He leads the Australian attack with his actions. He now needs to take the new ball to inspire his team as early as possible. #AUSvIND
— Adam White (@White_Adam) December 28, 2018
Quite an achievement keeping in mind Kohli is world’s best Test batsman at the moment:
Pat Cummins has now dismissed Virat Kohli once in each of the four Tests the two have played against each other. #AUSvIND
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) December 28, 2018
Almost a hat-trick
A metre from a Pat Cummins hat-trick. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9gQb5D3Qwm
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) December 28, 2018
Crazy bowling figures
Remember that time Pat Cummins had 4-4 from 4.4 overs? #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/J3ccTi23Dm
— Simon Morawetz (@SYMorawetz) December 28, 2018
Executing it perfectly
Nice symmetrical areas from Pat Cummins #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/JBaGrUvX6g
— Callum Godde (@calgodde) December 28, 2018
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