India collapsed to 36 all out – their lowest total in Test cricket – as Australia won the first Test in Adelaide by eight wickets. Josh Hazlewood took 5-8 and Pat Cummins 4-21, with number 11 Mohammad Shami retiring hurt after a blow to the arm.
It is the lowest Test total since New Zealand were bowled out for 26 in 1955.
Australia were left with 90 to win, which they reached for the loss of two wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series.
Opener Joe Burns ended on 51 not out, completing the chase with a six, as the day-night Test was completed midway through the third day.
The second Test in Melbourne begins on December 26.
India captain Virat Kohli will miss the remainder of the series to return home for the birth of his first child.
India’s unwanted history
The India capitulation was all the more remarkable given their advantage at the beginning of the day, when they resumed on 9-1, a lead of 62 runs.
What followed was one of the most incredible collapses in Test history, with the remainder of the tourists’ innings taking only 15.2 overs.
The first four wickets of the day all fell with the score on 15 in the space of 29 deliveries, with India having no answer to the brilliance of Hazlewood and Cummins.
When captain Kohli fell for four, the score was 19-6 and India were in danger of being bowled out for the lowest Test total of all time – fewer than New Zealand’s paltry 26 in 1955.
They were at least able to drag themselves past the Black Caps’ total, made against England in Auckland, but the tail was still blown away by Hazlewood, who reached 200 Test wickets.
Last man Shami was forced to retire when he was struck by a delivery from Cummins, adding to an India injury list that already includes batsman Rohit Sharma and fast bowler Ishant Sharma.
With Kohli now unavailable for the remaining three Tests, it is a huge challenge for India to get back into the series.
Australia’s big win
This represents a superb victory for Australia, who are not only looking to avenge a 2-1 series defeat by India two years ago, but also secure their place in the World Test Championship final.
At one point on day two, they were 111-7 in reply to India’s 244, only to be kept in the contest by 73 not out from captain Tim Paine, who marshalled the lower order to add 80 for the last three wickets.
With Hazlewood and Cummins then producing some irresistible fast bowling, Australia extended their 100% winning record in day-night Tests to eight matches, with six of those victories coming in Adelaide.
Their one welcome headache comes with the innings of Burns, perhaps only playing because of an injury to David Warner, who could be fit for the second Test.
If Warner is available, it would mean the hosts having to choose between Burns and Matthew Wade for who partners him at the top of the order. (BBC Sport)
