Six wickets in 34 balls: Aussies fall to six-year low in ‘truly dreadful’ collapse

Day 2 of the Indore Test began positively for Australia before things completely unravelled in a rapid collapse.

Peter Handscomb and Cameron Green escaped unharmed in the opening hour of play, showing plenty of grit and defensive skill, before Australia’s lower order fell apart.

Australia was 4-186 before losing six wickets for 11 runs to end up all-out for 197. It took just 34 balls and 29 minutes.

Quick bowler Umesh Yadav was the man of the hour, finishing with figures of 3/12 off five overs.

First, Handscomb (19) got a thick edge on a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery which was well caught in close by Shreyas Iyer.

The next over, Cameron Green (21) followed him back to the pavilion after a very close LBW decision was upheld in Umesh Yadav’s favour.

Mitchell Starc was the next man to fall (1), as Yadav destroyed his off-stump with the ball reverse-swinging.

Alex Carey added three runs before he was also given LBW, this time to Ashwin.

Murali Karthik said in commentary: “What a last ten minutes this has been for India. 20 balls, four wickets. It’s like they’re (India’s bowlers) in competition with each other!”

Matthew Hayden said: “It’s been brilliant hasn’t it, a brilliant little comeback.”

Yadav then sent Todd Murphy’s off stump (0) cartwheeling with an almost identical delivery to the one that dismissed Starc.

Mitchell Johnson said: “Reverse swing at its finest, hitting the top of off stump. Australians are starting to crumble here.”

Nathan Lyon (5) attempted a sweep and was clean bowled by Ashwin to end the innings.

It was Australia’s biggest six-wicket collapse in six years.