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Follow UsAfter a generational humiliation in the first Test in Perth, the Aussies were always expected to bounce back in Adelaide, especially considering the fixture was a day-night Test. But it’s fair to say no one quite expected the Kangaroos to decimate India the way they did, that too on the back of a scarring defeat.
As it turned out, toss was the only thing that went India’s way. Australia first bowled out India for 180 and then took a 157-run first-innings lead courtesy of a stunning ton from Travis Head. Then they bowled India out for 175 and registered a thumping 10-wicket win.
Remarkably, the contest lasted all of 1,031 deliveries. It’s the shortest completed Test between India and Australia in HISTORY! Yes, not even Indore 2023 was this short.
Shortest Test between India and Australia
1031 balls - Adelaide, 2024
1135 balls - Indore, 2023
1200 balls - Perth, 2012
1213 balls - Mumbai, 2004
1226 balls - Sydney, 1947
The Test proved to be a historically short one due to India’s underwhelming performance with the bat. They got bowled out under 200 not once but twice in the same game. It’s only the fourth-ever instance of the team getting bowled out under 200 twice in the same Test away in Australia.
Instances of India getting bowled out under 200 in both innings in a Test in Australia
98 & 58 in Brisbane, 1947
196 & 161 in Melbourne, 2007
171 & 161 in Perth, 2012
180 & 175 in Adelaide, 2024
In this series thus far, India have batted four times and have been bowled out under 200 thrice. This is already shaping up to be one of their worst-ever series in Australia with the bat in hand.
Most times India getting bowled out under 200 in a Test series in Australia
5 - 1947/48
4 - 2011/12
3 - 2024/25*
It’s also only fair that we give some credit to the Australian seamers. Remarkably, they took each of the 20 wickets to fall in the Test. It’s the first ever time Adelaide has seen the Aussie quicks take all 20 wickets in a Test.
Most wickets for Australian pacers in a Test in Adelaide
20 vs India, 2024*
18 vs India, 1992
18 vs Sri Lanka, 1996
17 vs England, 1982
17 vs West Indies, 2009
It’s the fourth time Aussie speedsters have ever taken all 20 wickets in a BGT Test.
Instances of Australian pacers taking all 20 wickets against India in a Test match
Gabba, Brisbane, 1991
WACA, Perth, 1992
WACA, Perth, 2012
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 2024*
In the contest, the Aussies did not even need Nathan Lyon. He bowled all of one over. In his 131-Test career, there’s only been one other game in which the offie has been used less.
Fewest overs bowled by Nathan Lyon in a Test match
0 - vs England in Hobart, 2022
1 - vs India in Adelaide, 2024*
3 - vs South Africa in Cape Town, 2011
But let’s get back to the pacers. This game was set up by Mitchell Starc, who began with a wicket off the first ball and then took his fourth fifer with a pink ball. The 6/48 in the first innings was his best ever in Tests and his first five-for against India in 36 attempts.
Best figures for Mitchell Starc in Tests
6/48 vs India, Adelaide, 2024*
6/50 vs Sri Lanka, Galle, 2016
6/66 vs Pakistan, Adelaide, 2019
6/111 vs England, Nottingham, 2015
6/154 vs South Africa, WACA, 2012
Pat Cummins, meanwhile, notched up his 13th fifer in Test cricket. Only two men have now taken more five-fors than he has as captain.
Most five-wicket hauls as captain in Tests
12 - Imran Khan (PAK)
9 - Richie Benaud (AUS)
8 - Pat Cummins (AUS)*
8 - Bishan Singh Bedi (IND)
He might already just be the best ‘home bowling’ captain in history.
Most 5-wicket hauls as captain at home in Tests
6 - Pat Cummins (AUS)*
6 - Imran Khan (PAK)
5 - Richie Benaud (AUS)
4 - Bishan Singh Bedi (IND)
4 - Jason Holder (W)I)
4 - Fazal Mahmood (PAK)
We’ll end this piece with some consolation from an Indian perspective. Nitish Reddy dazzled yet again, top-scoring for the side in both innings. Nitish has already smashed the most sixes by an Indian batter in a series in Australia. And there are still THREE TEST LEFT!
Most 6s for an Indian batter in Australia in a Test series
7 - Nitish Reddy (India tour of Australia 2024/25)*
6 - Virender Sehwag (India tour of Australia 2003/04)
6 - Murali Vijay (India tour of Australia 2014/15)
5 - Sachin Tendulkar (India tour of Australia 2007/08)
5 - Rohit Sharma (India tour of Australia 2014/15)
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