‘They just kept nicking everything’ – Josh Hazlewood recalls bowling out India for 36 during 2020 Adelaide Test

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood spoke to Cricket Australia just a few days before the start of the 2nd Test match. The 33-year-old is out of the game owing to Side Strain and is expected to be replaced by Scott Boland. During the last meeting between the two sides at the same venue, Hazlewood had picked 5/15. 

36/9 was what Virat Kohli led India side could score and this is still their lowest Test score. Recalling the game, Hazlewood said, “I remember coming on as the first change. They just kept nicking everything. I didn't really plan it. I was just trying to hit the length. We were off to a good start - they were 3 for 15 - so I was trying to apply the pressure and keep it going, not trying to do anything fancy, just hitting the line and length."

One of the all-time days when we had India all out for just 36 in Adelaide!Josh Hazlewood took five of those wickets and he’s here to talk through how they went down… 🌟 #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/iRpWS3au24

— Aussies Army🏏🦘 (@AussiesArmy) December 3, 2024

Team India had taken a lead of 53 runs in the first innings and were in a good position at the end of 2nd day’s play. The only wicket to fall was that of Prithvi Shaw who was out for a duck. At the start of the third day, none of the Indian batters put up a fight and all the batters made a quick exit. Mohammed Shami retired himself hurt after getting felled by a bouncer. The sorry scorecard saw none of India’s reach double figures. 

Josh Hazlewood recalls getting a fifer on day 3 in Adelaide

Speaking to Cricket Australia, the 33-year-old pacer went on to say, “They were a couple of wickets down overnight, and I don't think I bowled that night. Then we came back the next day- it's the toughest time to bowl when you're in the second innings and they've got a lead, so you're trying to attack and take wickets, while not leaking runs. It's a tough little period of bowling, so I guess things just fell into place that way.”

Needing 90 runs to win, Australia won by 8 wickets to end the game inside two and half days. This was one of the biggest losses for India in modern history as the home team took a 1-0 lead in the series. Following the loss, many former cricketers had predicted a 4-0 whitewash for India which. Ajinkya Rahane took over the reins of the team and led the side to a 2-1 win in the series. 

Josh Hazlewood also added, “Rahane was a pretty big wicket in that series, particularly in Australia. He's a good player. It was the fifth ball of the first over, so I wasn't trying to do anything special. The pink ball was doing enough on it's own. Ashwin's wicket, It wasn't a big nick, but there was definitely a noise. That was my 200th wicket - a very fine nick. I guess I was on a hat-trick, so I celebrated that one a bit more.”

“Vihari's wicket It was the sort of situation where a batter was batting with the tail. At that stage, even though they had only scored 80-odd runs (lead), if the recognized batter gets on a roll with the strike, the innings can drag out. So, it's always good to get the established batter out and leave two tail-enders together," Hazlewood concluded.