The third day of the first India vs Australia day-night Test match at the Adelaide Oval witnessed India’s lowest score in Test history on Saturday.

Led by Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket team was bundled out for just 36 in their second innings of the pink-ball Test match. It eclipsed its previous lowest Test score of 42 against Mike Denness's England at the Lord's in 1974. 

India posted 36/9, after Mohammed Shami became the last batsman to depart retired hurt, to record their lowest total in Test cricket. They had started the day at 9/1 with the out-of-form Prithvi Shaw back in the pavilion. 

Pacer Josh Hazlewood was the chief destructor with enviable figures of 5/8 in just five overs. Pat Cummins picked up the remaining four wickets.

Opener Mayank Agarwal was the top-scorer with nine to his tally as no batsman reached the double-figure mark. Hanuma Vihari was the next best with eight runs. Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin recorded ducks in the innings.

It’s the joint fifth-lowest total in Test match cricket, the lowest score by an Asian team and the joint-lowest score in Australia, matching South Africa’s tally from 1932.

Here’s a look at some of the Indian cricket team’s other low totals:

42 vs England in 1974

One of India’s worst batting displays came at the Lords when they toured England under Ajit Wadekar in 1974. Having won the toss, the hosts elected to bat first and had managed to post a massive 629 in their first innings. In reply, India managed 302 in their first innings and followed-on. In the second innings, India collapsed as they were bundled out for just 42 in 17 overs. Chris Old picked up five wickets and Geoff Arnold four with Eknath Solkar top-scoring with an unbeaten 18 off just 17 balls. The visitors lost the Test match by an innings and 285 runs.  

46 vs New Zealand in 2024

The Indian cricket team was bundled out for 46 against New Zealand in the first innings of the first Test at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in October 2024. Electing to bat first, India lost wickets at regular intervals to record their lowest Test total at home. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant top-scored for India with 20 while Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) was the only other batter to reach double figures. For New Zealand, Matt Henry was the wrecker-in-chief as he bagged a five-wicket haul while fast bowler William ORourke picked up four wickets.

58 vs Australia in 1947

The Lala Amarnath-led Indian cricket team had a nightmare of a Test series when they visited Australia in 1947. In the first of the five-match series in Brisbane, India suffered a dramatic batting collapse in their first innings as they were bowled out for 58 in reply to Australia’s 382/8. Ernie Toshack picked up an astonishing 5/2 in just 2.3 overs. Team India succumbed to a humiliating defeat as they were again bundled out for 98 in their second innings with Ernie Toshack picking up 6/29, thus recording his best bowling figures in an innings and a match. Australia won the Brisbane Test by an innings and 226 runs.

58 vs England in 1952

India were bowled out for 58 and 82 against England on the same day at the Old Trafford in the third Test of the four-match series in 1952. England fast bowler Fred Trueman was the wrecker-in-chief for the hosts claiming 8/31 -- his career-best bowling figures in Tests -- in India’s first innings. Vijay Manjrekar top-scored with 22. England had won the toss and elected to bat first. Captain Sir Len Hutton had scored a scintillating hundred to help the hosts post 347/9 in their first innings. Led by Vijay Hazare, the Indian cricket team suffered an embarrassing defeat as they lost the Manchester Test match by an innings and 207 runs.

#OnThisDay 1952 - Fred Trueman demolished India, taking 8/31 as India were all-out for 58 at Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/sR5SAhEs5A

�?ICC (@ICC) July 19, 2016

66 vs South Africa in 1996

The Sachin Tendulkar-led Team India had registered their fifth-lowest Test total against South Africa in 1996. India had won the toss and elected to field in their first Test match of the three-match series in Durban. Venkatesh Prasad’s fifer had helped restrict South Africa to 235 in their first innings. In reply, India were bundled out for 100 thanks to Allan Donald’s incredible bowling display (5/40). South Africa posted another 259 runs in their second innings to set up a run chase of 394 runs for the visitors. However, India failed miserably as they were bowled out for just 66 runs in 35 overs. Allan Donald’s nine wickets helped South Africa secure a mammoth 328 runs victory in the first Test match. Rahul Dravid top-scored in the second innings with 27 not out.

67 vs Australia in 1948

The Australian cricket team had bundled India for just 67 runs in their second innings of the fifth Test match in Melbourne in 1948. Deciding to bat first, Australia rode on Neil Harvey’s (153) century to post 575/8 in their first innings. Team India showed determination in their reply to manage 331 runs courtesy a hundred by Vinoo Mankad. However, India suffered a dramatic batting collapse in their second innings as they were bowled out for 67 runs. Len Johnson and Doug Ring each picked up three wickets. As a result, captain Don Bradman led his side to victory in the Melbourne Test by an innings and 177 runs and thrashed the visitors 4-0 in the Test series.

The Indian cricket team created history on Tuesday as they became the first side to beat Australia at The Gabba in over 32 years. The visitors defeated Australia by three wickets in the fourth and final Test in Brisbane to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning the series 2-1. 

#TeamIndia win the Gabba Test by 3 wickets. Rishabh Pant shines with a match-winning 89*.

Scorecard - http://t.co/bSiJ4wW9ej #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/AfrfOiRyUy

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2021

India rode on Rishabh Pant’s swashbuckling innings of 89 runs to chase down 328 in 97 overs.

The winning moment #AUSvIND | #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/skaJTXB055

�?ICC (@ICC) January 19, 2021

Earlier, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara also scored 91 and 56 runs respectively.

An outstanding knock from Shubman Gill comes to an end on 91. The elegant batsman misses out on a maiden ton. He batted for 146 balls, hit 8x4, 2x6 and shared a 114-run stand with Pujara. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND

Played @RealShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/yCjUQiaSDg

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2021

This is also the first time Australia have not won at The Gabba since 2012.

Meanwhile, Twitterati congratulated Team India on their historic victory at the Gabba. 

WHAT A WIN!!! Yessssss. To everyone who doubted us after Adelaide, stand up and take notice. Exemplary performance but the grit and determination was the standout for us the whole way. Well done to all the boys and the management. Enjoy this historic feat lads. Cheers @BCCI pic.twitter.com/CgWElgOOO1

�?Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 19, 2021

We are all overjoyed at the success of the Indian Cricket Team in Australia. Their remarkable energy and passion was visible throughout. So was their stellar intent, remarkable grit and determination. Congratulations to the team! Best wishes for your future endeavours.

�?Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2021

Just a remarkable win...To go to Australia and win a test series in this way ..will be remembered in the history of indian cricket forever ..Bcci announces a 5 cr bonus for the team ..The value of this win is beyond any number ..well done to every member of the touring party..

�?Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) January 19, 2021

EVERY SESSION WE DISCOVERED A NEW HERO.
Every time we got hit, we stayed put & stood taller. We pushed boundaries of belief to play fearless but not careless cricket. Injuries & uncertainties were countered with poise & confidence. One of the greatest series wins!
Congrats India. pic.twitter.com/ZtCChUURLV

�?Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 19, 2021

What a Test match! The depth of Indian Cricket is scary. @RishabhPant17 , sweet number 17. Well played young man. #testcricket at its very best

�?AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 19, 2021

Wow .. That has to go down as one of the greatest if not the greatest Test victory of all time !! Egg on my face over here in the UK .. but I love to see character & skill .. India have it in abundance .. btw @RealShubmanGill & @RishabhPant17 are future superstars ! #AUSvIND

�?Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 19, 2021

India had many players injured, but what has been injured more has been the Australian arrogance & pride.
The test series has been like a movie with every member of Indian Team being a hero & some of them Superheroes.
Spiderman Spiderman tune churaya dil ka chain @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/5psVFjp5Ww

�?Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 19, 2021

Earlier in the series, the hosts had won the pink-ball Adelaide Test while India bounced back with a victory in Melbourne. The third Test in Sydney had ended in a draw.

Interestingly, India had won a historic Test series in Australia two years back and now the Ajinkya Rahane-led side has clinched back-to-back series Down Under.

Feature image courtesy: Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar have set a new record for the highest seventh-wicket partnership for India at The Gabba on Sunday. 

The duo stitched an extraordinary 123-run partnership for the seventh wicket against Australia on Day 3 of the fourth and final Test in Brisbane.

stand between this duo

How many retweets for this brilliant partnership?#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/wbgYncJYlq

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 17, 2021

With the visitors reeling at 186/6 after losing set batsman Mayank Agarwal and Rishabh Pant early in the second session, Sundar and Thakur shared a 100-plus stand to drag India back into the Brisbane Test.

In the process, the duo shattered a 30-year-old record held previously by former India skipper Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar who had registered the highest seventh-wicket partnership for the visitors in Brisbane, scoring 58 runs in 1991.

Interestingly, Sundar-Thakur’s 123-run stand is also the third-highest 100-plus seventh-wicket partnership for the visitors in Australia after Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja's 204 in Sydney 2018-19 and 132 by Vijay Hazare and Hemu Adhikari in Adelaide 1947-48.

Twitter hailed the extraordinary partnership of Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar at The Gabba.

India regular captain Virat Kohli was impressed by Sundar-Thakur's outstanding partnership and he took to Twitter to appreciate the duo.

Outstanding application and belief by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. This is what test cricket is all about. Washy top composure on debut and tula parat maanla re Thakur!

�?Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 17, 2021

"Gabba the Dhaba for these two guys. Brilliant from Sundar and Thakur,�?tweeted Virender Sehwag.

Gabba the Dhaba for these two guys.

Brilliant from Sundar and Thakur. pic.twitter.com/NouAYYFyN4

�?Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 17, 2021

Former India batsman VVS Laxman took to Twitter and wrote, “Congrats @Sundarwashi5 & @imShard  on ur maiden Test 50’s. Loved the fight, technique and will power you both. exhibited. Also a good example for young bowlers to work on their batting as you never know when your contribution with the bat will help the team.�?/p>

Congrats @Sundarwashi5 & @imShard on ur maiden Test 50’s. Loved the fight, technique and will power you both exhibited. Also a good example for young bowlers to work on their batting as you never know when your contribution with the bat will help the team. #AUSvIND

�?VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 17, 2021

From net bowlers who arrived for practice to the highest scorers in the innings.
We have to stand up and appreciate one of the most resilient fightbacks! @Sundarwashi5 @imShard#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/W3QlWd2HKC

�?DK (@DineshKarthik) January 17, 2021

Sundar and Shardul have epitomized India's never say die spirit on this fascinating series. Next man up mentality should inspire many other teams never to give in or up.

�?Ian bishop (@irbishi) January 17, 2021

Extremely impressed with the fighting attitude shown by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. They have symbolised what India has been in this series, consistently punching above their weight. It is so satisfying to see.

�?Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 17, 2021

From 186 for 6 to 336 for 10 - India have added 150 runs for the last 4 wickets - All thanks to Sundar and Thakur. India reduced the lead of Australia to 33 runs - Hazlewood with 5 wickets for his brilliant spell.

�?Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 17, 2021

First Thakur now Sundar reaching 50, what a spirited partnership from these two. Australia have spent too long waiting for it to happen! #AUSvIND

�?Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 17, 2021

Meanwhile, Australia have bowled India out for 336 in their first innings and the hosts have taken a 33-run lead in the fourth Test. The ongoing Border-Gavaskar series is currently tied at 1-1.

Feature image courtesy: Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

Indian cricket team pacer Thangarasu Natarajan made history in the Brisbane Test against Australia on Friday when he became the first Indian cricketer to make his international debut across all three formats on one tour.

The left-arm fast bowler is just the 17th Indian player to don the national jersey across all three formats. 

Welcome to Test cricket, @Natarajan_91

Thangarasu Natarajan becomes the first Indian player to make his International debut across all three formats during the same tour #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CKltP2uT5w

�?ICC (@ICC) January 14, 2021

Natarajan brought on board as a net bowler for the Indian team

Interestingly, Natarajan was picked for the Australian tour as a net bowler for Team India after his impressive performances for the Hyderabad franchise in the Indian T20 League 2020.

The 29-year-old’s yorker to castle Bangalore talisman AB de Villiers in the Eliminator was arguably the ball of the tournament. 

Natarajan’s ability to execute well-directed yorkers at speeds close to 140kmph helped him receive a call to India's T20I squad for the Australia series following mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy’s shoulder injury. 

Later, just hours before the Men in Blue's first ODI against Australia, Natarajan received his maiden call-up to the Indian ODI squad as Navdeep Saini complained of a back spasm, and the Tamil Nadu-born cricketer was roped in as a replacement for the former. 

Making his dream debut across three formats in Australia

Natarajan eventually made his international debut in the third ODI against Australia on December 2 in Canberra. The left-arm pacer had an immediate impact as he claimed two wickets for 70 runs in his 10 overs, helping India win the match by 13 runs.

Subsequently, the 29-year-old was the wrecker-in-chief for Team India in the T20I series as he helped the visitors beat Australia 2-1. Natarajan was the highest wicket-taker in the T20I series as he claimed six wickets in three matches at an average of 13.83.

 

 The dream run continued for Natarajan as he became India’s 300th Test cricketer replacing injured Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI at the Gabba.

Interestingly, the Tamil Nadu-born recorded the second-best figures by an Indian left-arm seamer on debut. He finished with 3 for 78 against Australia in the series decider at Brisbane after RP Singh's 4 for 89 against Pakistan way back in 2005/06.

Natarajan has received a lot of praise from former India cricketers, including Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman, for his sensational debut for the Indian cricket team in all three formats.

“Natarajan’s story is a stuff dreams are made of. Feel delighted for the young man,�?Sehwag tweeted.

Natarajan's story is a stuff dreams are made of. Feel delighted for the young man. pic.twitter.com/OMr4KNaoPt

�?Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 15, 2021

However, the story of the rookie left-arm pacer from Chinnappampatti, a village near Salem in Tamil Nadu, is nothing short of a movie on the silver screen.

How T Natarajan overcame poverty and suspect bowling action

Born to a daily wage construction labourer, Natarajan distributed newspapers and milk to help his parents put food on the table. The rising star of Indian cricket was a tennis ball cricketer for much of his early life and first held a real cricket ball at 20.

Natarajan was selected to play for Jolly Rovers, one of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA)’s top teams. The southpaw showcased his abilities with the leather ball, which eventually earned him his Ranji Trophy debut. 

However, just when he was climbing up the cricketing ladder, Natarajan's world turned upside down after being reported for a suspect action and suspended for a year in 2014.

In 2016, the left-arm pacer finally made his comeback in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), where he had first turned heads of the IPL scouts with his uncanny ability to nail the yorkers.

In a game between Dindigul Dragons and Tuticorin Patriots, Natarajan's side - the Dindigul Dragons - tied the game off the last ball of the over to trigger a Super Over. Batting first, his side made 12 and left 13 runs for the Patriots to win off six balls.

Natarajan, at the end of the sixth ball, had conceded just three singles and a double. He had bowled six yorkers that night - the six balls that possibly changed his career.

 

In the 2017 Indian T20 League auction, the left-arm pacer was picked up by the Punjab franchise for three crores before Hyderabad acquired him for a lesser fee in 2018. 

Thangarasu Natarajan’s story is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational ones in the world of sports.

Feature image courtesy: David Kapernick / AFP

The Indian cricket team suffered another massive blow as right-arm pacer Navdeep Saini complained of pain in his groin on the opening day of the fourth and final Test against Australia at The Gabba on Friday.

Saini visibly seemed to be in a lot of discomfort, holding onto his thighs, after his follow-through as he bowled his fifth delivery to Marnus Labuschagne in the 36th over of the Australian innings. Incidentally, it was the same delivery on which skipper Ajinkya Rahane dropped Labuschagne at gully.

The physio was brought on and the 28-year-old left the field after doing some stretches. Interestingly, Rohit Sharma bowled the final delivery to complete the over. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to their social media accounts to inform that Saini has been taken for scans and that he is currently being monitored by the medical team.

UPDATE - Navdeep Saini has now gone for scans.#AUSvIND http://t.co/pN01PVnFfx

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2021

Meanwhile, Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne smashed a scintillating hundred on the first day of the Brisbane Test. The 26-year-old brought up his fifth century in Test cricket and his second at his home ground at The Gabba.

A home ground hundred to remember for @marnus3cricket! @hcltech | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ACcRzq3AiH

�?cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 15, 2021

However, Labuschagne (108) was later dismissed by India debutant T Natarajan after the former miscued a pull shot.

Another wicket for T Natarajan and this time he's claimed the prized scalp of Marnus Labuschagne who falls for 108! #AUSvIND | #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/IEd93JKFtg

�?ICC (@ICC) January 15, 2021

Interestingly, India left-arm pacer had claimed his maiden Test wicket after he gave the visitors a crucial breakthrough to get rid of Matthew Wade for 45. Natarajan broke the 113-run stand between Labuschagne and Wade as he dragged India back into the Test.

First Test wicket for @Natarajan_91 .

Wade departs for 45.

Live - http://t.co/bSiJ4wW9ej #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Q0kOX0YCmb

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2021

Earlier, Team India made as many as four changes in their playing XI which last featured in Sydney.

Australia have won the toss and opted to bat first in the 4th and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. We have four changes. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/87TrZAkA1Z

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2021

Jasprit Bumrah, Hanuman Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were left out because of their respective injuries and were replaced by debutants Washington Sundar and Natarajan, Shardul Thakur and Mayank Agarwal.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ BCCI

A group of spectators were removed from the stands at the famed Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on the fourth day of the ongoing third Test on Sunday.

The second session on day four witnessed high drama as play was halted for nearly 10 minutes after Mohammed Siraj rushed from the square-leg boundary and complained of racial abuse at the end of the 86th over in Australia's second innings. 

India skipper Ajinkya Rahane immediately had a word with on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson. A few other Indian players including Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal joined the discussion.

Subsequently, Siraj pointed out in the crowd where the words were said. The New South Wales (NSW) Police evicted six people from their seats.

 

This incident takes place a day after a drunk spectator at the SCG allegedly directed racial slurs at Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj. The BCCI has lodged a complaint with the ICC.

In response to the third day's incident, Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia's Head of Integrity and Security had said, “Cricket Australia condemns in the strongest terms possible all discriminatory behaviour. If you engage in racist abuse, you are not welcome in Australian cricket.

Cricket Australia has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour in all forms following the alleged racial abuse of members of the Indian cricket squad by a section of the crowd at the SCG yesterday. Full statement pic.twitter.com/34RYcfKj8q

�?Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 10, 2021

 “CA is awaiting the outcome of the International Cricket Council’s investigation into the matter reported at the SCG on Saturday. Once those responsible are identified, CA will take the strongest measures possible under our Anti-Harassment Code, including lengthy bans, further sanctions and referral to NSW Police.

 “As series hosts, we unreservedly apologise to our friends in the Indian cricket team and assure them we will prosecute the matter to its fullest extent.�?/span>

Former Australian cricketers Mike Hussey and Shane Warne have slammed the SCG crowd asking for life bans for these culprits.

"It's terrible behaviour and I can't believe it's still happening in this day and age. They should be banned for life from coming to the cricket," Hussey told Fox Cricket. 

"The Indians have come here to our shores to entertain us, play some great cricket, we should be so grateful that we can watch some live sport. To treat the players like that is unacceptable," he added.

Agreeing with Hussey, Warne said the allegations were particularly worrying given the events of the past one year, which have seen a global push for racial equality.

"Disgraceful to be honest, absolutely disgraceful," Warne said. "Should never happen, especially what's happened in the last 12 months or so with everything else around the world. Let's hope they come down heavy and find the culprits," he added.

Meanwhile, Australia have set a target of 407 for India in the Sydney Test after the hosts declared their second innings at 312/6. 

Feature image courtesy: Saeed KHAN / AFP

India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant had a horrid start to Day 1 of the third Test against Australia as he dropped two sitters at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday.

Pant, who has been preferred over Wriddhiman Saha for the second consecutive match, did his reputation no good as he dropped Australia debutant Will Pucovski twice in a span of three overs.

Pant gives Puc a life! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/PwhpHuJI4D

�?cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021

After dropping a dolly off Ravichandran Ashwin in the last ball of the 22nd over of the opening day’s play, Pant dropped an even easier chance, this time off pacer Mohammed Siraj.

A rollercoaster of emotions for Will Pucovski! Initially given out, but on closer inspection he's recalled to the crease! #OhWhatAFeeling@Toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WgT5lCRjAE

�?cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2021

The two dropped catches gave Pucovski two lifelines, who later notched up his maiden half-century while leading to frustration for both the Indian bowlers and the stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane at the same time.

Twitter slammed Rishabh Pant for his dismal performance behind the stumps on the first day of the Sydney Test.

Rishabh Pant's Rashid Latif moment? #PinkTest #AUSvIND #INDvsAUSTest pic.twitter.com/JRwE1FupwS

�?Vijay Arumugam (@vijayarumugam) January 7, 2021

Rishabh pant is Kamran Akmal of India. #INDvsAUSTest

�?Bond�?(@piyush_speaks) January 7, 2021

One thing I can say beyond doubt that #RishabhPant is not a "keeper".#INDvsAUSTest

�?Harsh Tripathi (@HarshTr23148648) January 7, 2021

Rishabh Pant is a cheat

�?alex (@ajvan44) January 7, 2021

Scenes when pant says c'mon ash next time. pic.twitter.com/TWlYfgNMXP

�?Heisenberg�?(@internetumpire) January 7, 2021

Meanwhile, India debutant fast bowler Navdeep Saini dismissed Pucovski for 62 as he picked up his first wicket in Test cricket.

Australia were in a solid position at stumps on Day 1 with 166/2 on the board, with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith batting on 67 and 31 respectively.

Feature image courtesy: Saeed KHAN / AFP

The Indian cricket team has announced their playing XI for the third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) starting on Thursday, January 7.

India have made two changes, one of them forced, to the starting eleven that had registered a historic victory at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Ace batsman Rohit Sharma has been included in the playing XI in place of out-of-form Mayank Agarwal. Interestingly, Rohit will be deputy to stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane in the last two Tests in Sydney and Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Navdeep Saini is all set to make his Test debut in Sydney as he will replace injured Umesh Yadav in the playing XI.

NEWS - #TeamIndia announce Playing XI for the 3rd Test against Australia at the SCG.

Navdeep Saini is all set to make his debut.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/lCZNGda8UD

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2021

Umesh had limped off with severe pain in his calf muscle on day 3 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The 33-year-old has already returned to India and will now aim to recover in time for the England series in February.

"We all are really excited to have him (Rohit) back in the team, especially his experience at the highest level which matters a lot. Talking about his batting, he is batting really well in the nets. He had good 7-8 sessions, came to Melbourne, started practice straightaway when our Test match got over," said stand-in India skipper Ajinkya Rahane in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

"I think he is batting really well. The last couple of series he has been batting as an opener, so you will definitely see him batting at the top," he added.

Rohit missed the first two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he was serving his quarantine period in Sydney. He had arrived late in Australia because of a hamstring injury he sustained in the Indian T20 League held in UAE.

The ongoing four-match Test series is currently tied at 1-1, with Australia winning the first Test in Adelaide while India registered an eight-wicket victory in Melbourne. 

India’s Playing XI vs Australia for 3rd Test: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

Feature image courtesy: Saeed KHAN / AFP

In another massive blow to the Indian cricket team, ace batsman KL Rahul has been ruled out with an injury ahead of the third Test in Sydney.

Rahul, who was talked about as a potential playing XI candidate for the Sydney Test, will now miss the remaining two Tests.

The right-handed batsman will fly home after he sprained his left wrist while batting in the nets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). 

“KL Rahul sprained his left wrist while batting in the nets at the MCG during Team India's practice session on Saturday. The wicketkeeper-batsman will not be available for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he will need about three weeks' time to recover completely and regain full strength," the BCCI said in a statement.

UPDATE: KL Rahul ruled out of Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

More details http://t.co/G5KLPDLnrv pic.twitter.com/S5z5G3QC2L

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2021

The 28-year-old top-order batsman was part of the Indian squad across all the formats - ODI, T20 and Test - but was overlooked for the first two Test matches.

"He will now return to India and head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further rehabilitation of his injury," the statement added.

Rahul’s injury further weakens Team India who is already missing the services of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is on paternity leave along with injured pacers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav.

The ongoing four-match series is currently tied at 1-1 with Australia winning the first Test in Adelaide while India registered a historic win in the second at MCG.

Feature image courtesy: William WEST / AFP

The Indian cricket team defeated Australia by eight wickets in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to level the four-match series 1-1.

After restricting Australia's second innings to just 200 runs in the extended opening session of Day 4, Indian debutant Shubman Gill (35) and stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane (27) chased down the 70-run target in 15.5 overs to record a win for the ages.

Leader Rahane guides India to series-levelling victory

The India cricket team scripted a historic win under skipper Ajinkya Rahane whose inspirational first-innings knock of 112 - helped the visitors take a healthy 131-run lead - backed up by an assuring and unbeaten 27 runs in the second innings as India levelled the series 1-1.

The captain’s innings helped Rahane become the first recipient of the prestigious Mullagh Medal after he was adjudged the Player of the match in the Boxing Day Test. 

The medal is named after Johnny Mullagh, the first aboriginal cricketer to have been inducted into the Australian cricket Hall of Fame. Cricket Australia had earlier announced that the best player of the Melbourne Test match will receive the Mullagh Medal.

Interestingly, this was Rahane’s 12th Test hundred, which made him the 10th visiting captain with a century at the iconic MCG. The 32-year-old also became just the second Indian captain to be on the list after legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

 

Visiting captains scoring century at MCG
Player	Runs	Innings	Start Date
Arthur Shrewsbury (ENG)	105*	2	21 March 1885
Andrew Stoddart (ENG)	173	3	29 December 1894
Peter May (ENG)	113	1	31 December 1958
Hanif Mohammad (PAK)	104	1	04 December 1964
Mike Denness (ENG)	188	2	08 February 1975
Clive Lloyd (WI)	102	3	26 December 1975
Alec Stewart (ENG)	107	1	26 December 1998
Sachin Tendulkar (IND)	116	2	26 December 1999
Mohammad Yousuf (PAK)	111	1	26 December 2004
Ajinkya Rahane (IND)	100*	2	26 December 2020

Mohammed Siraj impresses on Test debut

Pacer Mohammed Siraj became the first debutant for India in seven years to pick five wickets in a Test match. He finished the second Test match at the MCG with a haul of five wickets for 77 runs in 36.3 overs. This is the fifth-best figures for an Indian fast bowler on debut Test overseas.

Best match figures on Test debut for Indian pacer outside India

Player	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
Syed Abid Ali	33.0	116	7	v Australia	Adelaide	23 December 1967
Praveen Kumar	34.0	80	6	v West Indies	Kingston	20 June 2011
Venkatesh Prasad	42.0	121	6	v England	Birmingham	06 June 1996
Mohammad Nissar	44.0	135	6	v England	Lord's	25 June 1932
Mohammed Siraj	36.3	77	5	v Australia	Melbourne	26 December 2020

India’s eight Test victory on Australian soil

Team India's eight-wicket win in the second Test at the MCG was only the eighth time in 50 Test matches that they have beaten Australia Down Under. Half of these wins -- four--have come at the MCG. India have previously won one in Perth (2008), one in Sydney (1978) and two in Adelaide (2003 and 2018).

India's win in Australia
Margin	Bat	Ground	Start Date
222 runs	1st	Melbourne	30 December 1977
Innings and 2 runs	2nd	Sydney	07 January 1978
59 runs	1st	Melbourne	07 February 1981
4 wickets	2nd	Adelaide	12 December 2003
72 runs	1st	Perth	16 January 2008
31 runs	1st	Adelaide	06 December 2018
137 runs	1st	Melbourne	26 December 2018
8 wickets	2nd	Melbourne	26 December 2020

Additionally, with the historic win, Melbourne Cricket Ground now becomes India’s most successful overseas venue in the longest format of the game.

On the other hand, Australia captain Tim Paine became the fastest wicket-keeper to reach 150 dismissals in Test cricket. The Australian skipper achieved the feat in just 33 Test matches, breaking the record of South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, who had registered 150 dismissals in 34 matches.

Furthermore, pacer Mitchell Starc became the fifth-fastest Australian bowler to take 250 wickets in the longest format. The left-arm fast bowler took 59 Test matches to reach the milestone with Australia legend Dennis Lillee topping the chart having claimed 250 wickets in just 48 games.

Feature image courtesy: WILLIAM WEST / AFP