36 all out: Hosts say no to mental attrition tactics

Friday the 18th had passed without much event. India had made 244 in the first innings and then bowled Australia out for 191.

- Ashish Magotra

Then, they ended the day on 9/1. Pretty normal for the kind of match it had been up until that point. Then, Saturday the 19th dawned. The match was fascinatingly poised with India 62 runs ahead but no one saw what was coming next.

By drinks, India had been reduced to 26/6 in 18 overs. A little later, the visitors' innings ended on 36 with Mohammed Shami retiring hurt. People tried to make sense of the moment but there was no sense to be made. In the space of 16 overs (on Day 3) they were all out, without one batsman reaching double figures – a first in Test history.

For many in India, mention Adelaide and it still brings back memories of the first Test on the 2020-21 tour. They can't forget the manner in which the batters made a beeline for the dugout. It's one of those things that you can't... don't forget. But, as the cricket makes its way back to the very same venue, the Australian team is trying its darndest to do just that.