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Do you remember Karun Nair the second Indian batter to score a triple century in Test Cricket, that day India also scored their highest test cricket total which was 759/7 and that day became historic for India in test cricket, but who would’ve thought that after four years the same will be going to become the forgettable day for India. One day two different but poles apart records for the same team were registered on the 19th of December.
Scoring the highest team total is a great and unmatchable feeling for players and every single player wants to remember that day in pride but what if that day became the forgettable day for the same team after years? India is the only country that scored their highest and lowest team total in test cricket on the same date but within four years. Scoring more than 700 runs against one of the strongest teams in the world with a player hitting a triple century is a great feeling for any team but what happens if, on the same day after four years, the same team gets out on their lowest total of 36. In this article, we’ll revisit both games and disclose some old memories.
Triple centurion Karun Nair
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That was the golden era for the Indian team India was one of the strongest teams in almost every format and in that series India had already beaten England in both the ODI and T20I series and was in the driving seat with 3-0 in the test series also. The last fifth game was just a formality for both teams. The game was started on 16th December in Chennai where England had decided to bat after winning the toss in that turning surface. The first second day went in the favour of England and they scored 477 with the help of Moen Ali’s incredible 146 runs. On the third day, India batted so well and scored 391 with the loss of four till the stump opener KL Rahul was the last wicket on day three and he was just one run short of to double century when Spinner Rashid Khan took him.
On the fourth day which was 19th December India came to resume the inning after 391 and Karun Nair who was unbeaten at 71 on the third day started showing his skills, when Karun Nair reached the triple-digit score he would’ve thought that he was going to make history that day. Till the tea India was in a strong position with 582/5 and Karun was unbeaten at 195. Virat Kohli could’ve declared the inning because they were already in a strong position but he gave Karun a chance to make history and Karun didn’t disappoint. After touching the mark of 200 he took just 42 balls to reach 250 and then in just 33 balls he scored another 50-run mark to become the second Indian batter to score 300 runs in an inning. Just after Karun’s 300 Virat declared the inning at 759/7 which was also the highest total for India. After taking the lead of 282 India stopped English players at 207 runs on the fifth day and won the match by 75 runs.
India all out for 36
Border Gavaskar trophy 2020-21 is one of the most thrilling series of all time. India went on to win the series after getting all out at 36 in the first game. India was supposed to play four test matches against Australia in that tour. The first test which was taking place in Adelaide started on 17th December 2020. England was invited to ball after the toss which was won by Virat Kohli. On the first day, India scored 233 runs with a loss of six where Virat Kohli scored the highest 74 runs in that inning. On the second day, India was only able to add 11 runs more to its total Australia has turned the table by entering with the bat in the first session. Despite scoring only 244 runs Indian bowlers took charge and stopped the Kangaroos’ 53 runs before their total and came again to bat on the same day. India lost their first wicket in the form of Prithvi Shaw at the end second day. India was in a strong position with a lead of 59 runs on the third day and was looking to set a massive target in front of the host but that didn’t go as planned. Indian batters surprisingly looked so helpless in front of Pat Cummins and Jos Hazelwood and got all out at 36 in 21.2 overs.
Jos Hazelwood with 5/8 destroyed Indian batters with his skillful bowling and Pat Cummins(4/21) supported him so well. In reply, while chasing 90 runs Australia reached the target in 21 overs and won the game by eight wickets. A match where India was looking strong went to lose the game so badly because getting all out at 36 has the biggest contribution. Later India won the Border-Gavaskar trophy by 2-1.
