"They just kept nicking everything" - Josh Hazlewood recalls India's 36 all-out during pink-ball Test of BGT 2020-21

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood recalled his incredible five-wicket haul during India's dismal 36 all-out the last time the two teams met in a pink-ball Test at Adelaide in 2020-21. As the two teams get set to battle each other in a day-night encounter in Adelaide in the second Test of the ongoing series, memories of the infamous day in Indian cricket have been doing the rounds.

The pink-ball Test in Adelaide was the series opener in 2020-21 and the visitors began strong with a 53-run lead in the first innings. However, things went downhill in a remarkable second innings as they were bowled out for their lowest-ever Test score of 36 in 21.2 overs.

Reflecting on that innings and his five-wicket haul, Hazlewood told cricket.com.au:

"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."

He added:

"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.

India's stunning collapse left Australia with a target of only 90 and they completed the run-chase successfully in 21 overs with eight wickets in hand.

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Josh Hazlewood recalls each wicket in his match-winning spell

CRICKET: DEC 19 Australia v India - First Test - Source: Getty

After Pat Cummins picked up the first three wickets during India's 36 all-out, Hazlewood bagged five of the next six Indian wickets in the 2020-21 Adelaide Test.

The 33-year-old accounted for Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha, and Ravichandran Ashwin in his five-over spell.

"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," said Hazlewood.

He concluded:

"(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 finished with outstanding figures of 5/8 in his five overs as Australia took a 1-0 series lead.

However, India bounced back from the shocking loss and won two of the next three games to complete a 2-1 series win.