Indian cricket fans experienced a heartbreaking “Super Sunday” with three crushing defeats across different formats and levels. From Test cricket to women’s ODIs and the U-19 Asia Cup final, it was a day Indian supporters would rather forget.
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Adelaide Disaster: Pink Ball Test Collapse
The day began with a massive 10-wicket loss for Rohit Sharma’s men against Australia in the Day/Night Test at Adelaide. India struggled against Mitchell Starc’s lethal bowling, managing just 180 runs in their first innings. Starc claimed 6/48, his career-best figures. Australia responded strongly, led by Travis Head’s brilliant 140, securing a 157-run lead. Despite Nitish Kumar Reddy’s resistance (42), India’s second innings collapsed, narrowly avoiding an innings defeat.
Women’s ODI Woes in Australia
Adding to the misery, the Indian women’s cricket team suffered a crushing 122-run defeat in the second ODI against Australia. The hosts posted an imposing 371/8, with India folding for 249 in reply. The Indian bowlers were unable to contain the Aussie batters, and the batting lineup fell short of the massive target despite a valiant effort.
Heartbreak in U-19 Asia Cup Final
India’s U-19 team capped off the nightmare day with a disappointing loss to Bangladesh in the U-19 Asia Cup final. Despite a spirited journey to the final, including a thrilling win over Sri Lanka in the semis, India failed to chase Bangladesh’s modest 198-run target. Bowled out for 139 in just 35.2 overs, the young Indian team succumbed to the Bangladeshi pacers’ relentless attack.
A Day to Reflect and Rebuild
This unprecedented string of losses underscores the need for introspection and improvement across all levels of Indian cricket. While such setbacks are rare, they serve as a reminder that even the best teams have off days. For Indian cricket, the focus now shifts to bouncing back stronger in the upcoming challenges.