**India's 46 All Out: Record Low Home Test Score**

muazhan

You need 3 min read

·

Post on Oct 24, 2024

50 visitor like this post

Share

India's 46 All Out: A Day of Humiliation and a Record Low in Test Cricket

The Indian cricket team, known for its batting prowess, suffered an unprecedented humiliation on February 13, 2021, when they were bowled out for a paltry 46 runs in the second innings of the second Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This became the lowest ever Test score by India in their history, eclipsing their previous record of 75 runs against England in 1974.

The day started with India still needing 200 runs to avoid an innings defeat. However, the Australian bowlers, led by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, ran riot, dismantling the Indian batting order with pace, accuracy, and relentless pressure.

A Batting Collapse for the Ages

The Indian batting collapse was a sight to behold. It started with the dismissal of Rohit Sharma, caught behind for a duck, and continued with wickets falling at regular intervals. Only two batsmen, Ajinkya Rahane (4) and Ravichandran Ashwin (9), managed to reach double figures. The rest of the team were dismissed cheaply, succumbing to the relentless pace and swing of the Australian bowlers.

The lack of application, poor shot selection, and a lack of mental fortitude were evident throughout the innings. Indian batsmen seemed to be playing without any confidence and were easily outplayed by the Australian bowlers. The dismissal of Virat Kohli for 4 runs, caught behind off Josh Hazlewood, was the turning point of the match.

The Aftermath and Lessons Learned

This humiliating defeat sparked widespread criticism and introspection within Indian cricket. The team's performance was labelled as a complete "disgrace", and the lack of fight and application raised serious concerns about the team's mental strength.

The defeat in Melbourne highlighted several shortcomings in the Indian team:

• Lack of technical skills against pace and bounce: The Indian batsmen struggled to adapt to the pace and bounce of the Australian bowling attack, which exposed their technical flaws.
• Mental fragility: The pressure of chasing a big target and the relentless bowling attack seemed to break the Indian batsmen's confidence and resolve.
• Poor shot selection: Several batsmen were dismissed playing rash shots, indicating a lack of game awareness and tactical discipline.

The 46 all out debacle served as a wake-up call for the Indian team, highlighting the need for improvement in technical skills, mental fortitude, and tactical approach. The team had to introspect and learn from the experience, focusing on the weaknesses that were exposed in Melbourne.

Beyond the Scoreline

The 46 all out score was not just a low score but a symbol of the team's struggles and the need for change. The defeat served as a crucial reminder that India had a long way to go to become a truly formidable team, capable of competing consistently at the highest level.

The experience was a harsh lesson for Indian cricket, but it also presented an opportunity for growth and improvement. The team needed to learn from their mistakes, strengthen their technical abilities, and develop a stronger mental game to overcome future challenges.

The 46 all out score will forever be etched in the history of Indian cricket as a dark day, but it also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of hard work, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.