Sunday, December 8 was a day to forget for Indian cricket fans as an unwanted hat-trick was completed. The Indian men’s senior team was humbled by Australia in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, while the women’s team was comprehensively beaten by the Australia side. The final unwanted result came in the form of the U-19 Asia Cup final were Bangladesh defended their crown by beating India in Dubai.
The senior men’s team were beaten by 10 wickets by Australia to level the series at 1-1 in Adelaide on Sunday. The women’s team was outplayed by Australia with the bat as Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll scored hundreds to set up a mammoth target to chase, which India failed to chase and lose the match by 122 runs. The U-19 Asia Cup final saw Bangladesh win the match by 59 runs to seal the title.
How did Sombre Sunday unfold for Indian cricket fans?
Pink-ball Test
Australia delivered a commanding performance to dismantle India within two and a half days, leveling the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 1-1 with a crushing 10-wicket victory. Spearheaded by a fiery century from Travis Head and relentless spells from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, the hosts secured the win on Day 3, reaffirming their dominance in pink-ball Tests.
Stung by a heavy 295-run defeat in the series opener in Perth, Australia came out determined to defend their pink-ball stronghold at the Adelaide Oval. Their efforts paid off spectacularly as they skittled India out for 175 on Sunday, with captain Pat Cummins claiming a sensational five-wicket haul. India managed to add just 47 runs to their overnight total before collapsing under pressure.
This victory extended Australia’s unbeaten streak in pink-ball Tests at Adelaide to eight matches. Meanwhile, India suffered their second consecutive defeat in day-night Tests on Australian soil, the first being their infamous eight-wicket loss in 2020 when they were bowled out for a record-low 36 in the second innings.
Although India avoided a similar disaster this time, their performance lacked the intensity and drive that fueled their thrilling win in Perth, leaving them searching for answers as the series progresses.
IND-W vs AUS-W 2nd ODI
Harmanpreet Kaur’s India suffered a crushing defeat against Australia in the second ODI in Brisbane on Sunday, December 8, as the hosts showcased a dominant all-round performance. Australia piled up a mammoth 371 runs in the first innings, courtesy of brilliant centuries from Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry, before bowling out India for 249 to seal a 122-run victory. The win gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
India endured their worst bowling performance in WODI history, conceding their highest-ever total. Youngster Georgia Voll struck her maiden century, a blistering 87-ball 101 in just her second ODI, while veteran Ellyse Perry hammered a commanding 75-ball 105, featuring six sixes and seven fours. The pair’s stunning efforts propelled Australia to 371/8 after choosing to bat.
In response, India struggled to match the hosts’ intensity, folding for 249 in 44.5 overs. Opener Richa Ghosh top-scored with a laborious 54 off 72 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues (43) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (38) failed to build on promising starts. Minnu Mani offered late resistance with an unbeaten 46 off 45 balls, but the effort fell short.
Annabel Sutherland starred with the ball for Australia, claiming 4/38 in 8.5 overs to dismantle the Indian lineup. Australia had already claimed the series opener with a five-wicket win, and the final match is set to take place on Wednesday at the WACA.
U-19 Asia Cup Final
Bangladesh retained their U19 Men’s Asia Cup title with an impressive 59-run victory over India in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The Junior Tigers, who claimed their maiden championship last year by defeating the UAE, dethroned the eight-time champions to secure back-to-back triumphs.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 198 in 49.1 overs. Rizan Hossain led the charge with a steady 47 off 65 balls, supported by crucial contributions from Mohammad Shihab James (40) and Farid Hasan (39).
India’s chase got off to a shaky start as openers Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi fell cheaply. While Andre Siddarth (20), Karthikeya (21), and captain Mohamed Amaan (26) managed to get starts, none could convert them into significant scores. The turning point came in the 20th over when Iqbal Hossain Emon removed Nikhil Kumar and Karthikeya in quick succession, leaving India reeling. Emon’s impactful spell of 7-1-24-3 included the wicket of Harvansh Pangalia, adding to India’s woes.
Hardik offered some late resistance with a 24-run cameo off 21 balls, including three boundaries, but his efforts were insufficient as India were bowled out well short of the target. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling and fielding ensured their dominance, sealing another historic title victory.
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