Australia vs India second Test: Aussies collapse on day three

Australian cricket fans have blasted the national team after it produced one of its worst batting collapses ever seen against India.

India have wrapped up the Border-Gavaskar trophy in emphatic style with Cheteshwar Pujara hitting the winning runs with a four in his 100th Test to claim a six wicket win in Dehli.

It was a remarkable day of Test cricket and an absolute disaster for Australia who started the day in good shaped with a lead of 62 and nine wickets in hand.

Watch Australia’s Tour of India. Every Test & ODI live & ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Looking to pile on to set what would have been a competitive total on a tricky Dehli wicket, Australia instead capitulated.

Wickets fell quickly as Australia crumbled from 1/65 to all out for 113 in just over 90 minutes.

The last eight wickets fell for just 28 runs as Australia threw their wickets away.

Ravindra Jadeja was the chief destroyer for the home side as he claimed his best figures in Test cricket by taking 7/42.

That was brutal. Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP

At one point in Australia’s horror collapse they lost four wickets in the space of 11 deliveries for a grand total of zero runs.

Shortly after Steve Smith was sent packing, Marnus Labuschagne was clean bowled by Ravindra Jadeja before Matt Renshaw again failed to put any bat on a straight ball as it thundered into his pads off of Ravi Ashwin.

The umpire’s finger went up immediately as the struggling Aussie batsmen sent it up for review only to be given three red lights with DRS showing the ball would have smashed the stumps.

The very next over Jadeja struck again with his first ball as he caught the edge of Peter Handscomb with Virat Kohli snapping it up at first slip.

The worst batting performance I’ve seen from Australia, it’s shameful. #INDvAUS

— Jordan Kounelis (@JordanKounelis) February 19, 2023

Fans watching on were quick to condemn the Australian batting attack for their horror showing with many labelling it the worst collapse they’ve witnessed.

This is beyond a joke now.
Planning horribly wrong.
Series swept away in 75 minutes of dreadful test cricket. #INDvAUS

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) February 19, 2023

8/28. After being 2/85. We've had plenty of collapses over the last decade, but this one, given the appalling nature of nearly ALL of the dismissals, the stakes at the time, and the completely feeble lack of psychological resolve, is IMO probably THE worst. Disgraceful. #INDvAUS

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) February 19, 2023

Only Travis Head and Marnus Labuschange managed to crack double figures, registering 43 and 35 runs. Steve Smith was the next best with nine runs ahead of Nathan Lyon’s eight.

Three Aussies scored a duck with none worse than skipper Pat Cummins.

Cummins strolled to the crease and instead of displaying leadership in the midst of the batting crisis, he dropped to one knee and attempted to sweep heave a ball into the stands.

Unfortunately Cummins missed the ball entirely and was clean bowled by Jadeja.

“I can’t believe what I’ve just witnessed here,” Hayden said in commentary on Fox Cricket.

“(They’ve gone way too far with the sweep) Way too far. These are world class players and they have everything to win and everything to lose in this session. They did it so well last evening.

“What we’ve seen here is a disaster for Australia. It’s a disaster because they’ve gone way over the edge in terms of their aggressive play.

“What professional in life just hopes. No way. You’ve got to have a method and you have to think on your feet. You’ve got about 13 people in that dug out not playing the game all having their say on it.”

An absolute shocker for Australia. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

With a lead of 114, Australia needed wickets but they were far too few and far between as India passed the score four wickets down.

As India won the first Test and the last series between the teams in Australia, it means they have wrapped up the trophy.

For Australia, while two wins would be the preference, if they lose the series 4-0, Sri Lanka could overtake the Aussies in the World Test Championship if it can claim a 2-0 win over New Zealand in New Zealand.

A draw would be enough for Australia to book its place in the decider while if Sri Lanka don't win 2-0 it will mean Australia and India will play off for World Test Championship glory.

6.41pm – Aussie miracle still alive

Do you believe Australia can still win this match? Well outside of our one-eyed hope, neither do we, but Australia have taken its third wicket.

Todd Murphy claimed the wicket of Virat Kohli for 20 with Alex Carey stumping the Indian superstar for the first time.

It leaves India 3/69 with 46 runs needed.

6pm – Skipper sacrifices himself

Rohit Sharma looked to have BBQ’ed his teammate Cheteshwar Pujara but the Indian skipper has taken one for the team, running himself out after both men wound up at the same end.

It leaves India 2/39, well in control as it chases Australia’s 115 to win.

4.45pm – Luck falls in Aussies’ favour

KL Rahul couldn’t believe his luck when the Indian second innings got underway as he was sent back to the sheds with only the seventh ball.

Off his back foot Rahul attempted to clip Nathan Lyon into the legside only for the ball to thunder into Peter Handscomb under the helmet and balloon up where Alex Carey claimed it.

4.30pm – ‘Pathetic, shameful’: Australia’s horror collapse torn to shreds

Australia looked to have the upper hand entering the third day of the second Test, in 90 minutes that had vanished as the Aussies tried to sweep the Indian attack aside.

After climbing to be 2/85, the Aussies lost the final eight wickets for a damning 28 runs to be all out for 113 in the second innings.

Ravindra Jadeja was the chief destroyer for the home side as he claimed his best figures in Test cricket by taking 7/42.

At one point in Australia’s horror collapse they lost four wickets in the space of 11 deliveries for a grand total of zero runs.

Shortly after Steve Smith was sent packing, Marnus Labuschagne was clean bowled by Ravindra Jadeja before Matt Renshaw again failed to put any bat on a straight ball as it thundered into his pads off of Ravi Ashwin.

The umpire’s finger went up immediately as the struggling Aussie batsmen sent it up for review only to be given three red lights with DRS showing the ball would have smashed the stumps.

The very next over Jadeja struck again with his first ball as he caught the edge of Peter Handscomb with Virat Kohli snapping it up at first slip.

The worst batting performance I’ve seen from Australia, it’s shameful. #INDvAUS

— Jordan Kounelis (@JordanKounelis) February 19, 2023

Fans watching on were quick to condemn the Australian batting attack for their horror showing with many labelling it the worst collapse they’ve witnessed.

Only Travis Head and Marnus Labuschange managed to crack double figures, registering 43 and 35 runs. Steve Smith was the next best with nine runs ahead of Nathan Lyon’s eight.

Three Aussies scored a duck with none worse than skipper Pat Cummins.

Cummins strolled to the crease and instead of displaying leadership in the midst of the batting crisis, he dropped to one knee and attempted to sweep heave a ball into the stands.

Unfortunately Cummins missed the ball entirely and was clean bowled by Jadeja as the Aussies lost four wickets in 11 balls for zero runs.

8/28. After being 2/85. We've had plenty of collapses over the last decade, but this one, given the appalling nature of nearly ALL of the dismissals, the stakes at the time, and the completely feeble lack of psychological resolve, is IMO probably THE worst. Disgraceful. #INDvAUS

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) February 19, 2023

AB on @FoxCricket speaks for the nation. "Disappointed, shell-shocked, angry"

Chuck embarrassed in there and you've summed it all up.@abcsport#INDvAUS

— Tom Wildie (@tomwildie) February 19, 2023

That was rubbish Pat. Leading by example indeed. #INDvAUS

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) February 19, 2023

Pat, this isn't backyard rules. You can get out first ball.

That was just disgusting. #INDvAUS

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 19, 2023

There was always a good chance that Australia would fall over this morning, but this is catastrophic. #IndvAus

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) February 19, 2023

Brutal first hour for Australia. Lost 5/34 in 11.1 overs. Drinks are out. Aussies need something stiffer than whatever's being served. #INDvAUS

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) February 19, 2023

Renshaw out 3 times on tour, leg before on all occasions for a combined 4 runs off 16 balls #INDvAUS@abcsport

— Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) February 19, 2023

Oh FFS, that's pathetic. 4 wickets in 11 balls. #INDvAUS

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) February 19, 2023

3.30pm – Smith’s selfish act condemned by fans

India have snatched the momentum back on day three thanks to Ravi Ashwin.

The off spinner claimed the wicket of Travis Head in his first over and has just sent Steve Smith packing.

The ball skidded into the front pad of Smith who had taken a big stride down the wicket. The umpires finger went up instantly before the former skipper and Marnus Labuschagne deliberated over it.

Smith ultimately opted to send it upstairs for review much to the chagrin of fans who saw it unfold live and believed it to be deadset plumb.

As the replays rolled out it only got worse for Smith, but the DRS showed the ball turning a mile and just clipping leg stump with the system calling it umpire’s decision on hitting the wickets, meaning Smith had to depart.

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy wrote: “I get he’s Steve Smith, but it doesn’t mean he should be entitled to burn one of the reviews. Absolutely plumb.”

3:05pm – Nightmare start for the Aussies

Ravi Ashwin has struck early on the third day with a beautiful delivery that caught the edge of Travis Head’s bat and removed the dangerous opener.

The ball turned sharply away from Head and caught the outside of his bat with the keeper snapping up the catch to send Head packing for 43.

2pm – Travis Head exposes selectors’ silly mistake

Travis Head was shining bright in the second innings. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)

The decision to axe Travis Head from the opening Test left cricket fans in utter disbelief and Australia’s horror showing only further highlighted the decision.

Head was brought back into the team for the second Test and after a lacklustre opening innings, he was thrust up the order in the second innings in the wake of David Warner being pulled out of the contest through concussion.

The move to elevate Head to opening has proven to be a masterstroke with the star showing why he should have been in the team from the outset.

It’s also given the Aussies a potential saviour with Warner’s streak of struggles ongoing and now with the injury hanging overhead.

Forbes cricket journalist Tristan Lavalette believes Head’s innings could be a “potential career defining” one.

“Travis Head should have replaced Warner for this Test,” Lavalette wrote on Twitter.

“It happened eventually anyway and he’s played a gem of a knock so far in a position suited to him in India.

“Potential career defining innings for him tomorrow.”

As play came to a close, @marnus3cricket punched the air in joy for a job well done before walking off with Travis Head, both with smiles on their faces on what was Australia’s best day on tour so far #IndvAuspic.twitter.com/SSaWNrySiS

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 18, 2023

Nathan Lyon feasted on the Indian batting line-up on day two and spoke about his relationship with Head after claiming 5/67.

“I did reach out to him, I did see if he was OK … what I love about him, he always looks at the positives, he always wants to do the right role for the team,” he said.

“I’m really happy to see him out there competing the way he is at the moment, I thought he was absolutely exceptional.”