Australia annihilated in second test

India 503 defeated Australia 237/9 dec. and 131

At 74/2 Australian fans would have had some hope of bringing the game into a fifth day. Instead the aussies did not even make it to lunch being bowled out for a disgraceful 131. Cowan got to 44 off a painstaking 150 balls, while Warner managed 26. Clarke for once could not get a big score (mind you he got a pearler from Jadeja), and evidently a collapse ensued after he got out. From Clarke's wicket onwards Australia lost 7 wickets for 21 runs. Yes, that's right 7 wickets fell in 21 overs at a run rate of 1 per over. I was going to compare it to a Zimbabwe batting order implosion, but to be honest that would be unfair to the African side. Australia were simply terrible in this match. Even from the onset they were behind with some strange team selections. No batsman really stood up (withstanding Clarke and Wade in the first innings) and the bowlers proved virtually ineffective. Credit though has to be given to the Indians who played superbly. Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara both hit their highest test scores in mammoth 370 run stand. Their batting was brilliant and it won the match for the home side and essentially crushed Australia further into the dirt. Ashwin and Jadeja both took 6 wickets for the match apiece solidifying their form from the first test.

With India now stretching to a 2-0 lead in the series, the unlikely scenario of 2 Australian victories would only prevent them from taking the series. Australia need the 2 wins to draw the series and retain the Border- Gavaskar Trophy. Realistically though Australia will do lucky to draw a match and are starting down the barrel of an incredibly disappointing 4-0 series whitewash, and a major setback on the road to the Ashes.

Full scorecard here: http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2013/engine/current/match/598813.html