Makhaya Ntini’s spell on Wednesday morning not only reduced India’s chances of snatching a lead, it triggered a batting collapse reminiscent of what’s been the norm over the last few years.
Here’s a look at India’s recent collapse history…
India vs Australia, Mumbai, 2004-05
Collapse (2nd inngs): 7-52 (from 153-3 to 205)
Destroyer: Michael Clarke 6-9
Result: india won by 13 runs
India vs Australia, Melbourne 2003-04
Collapse (1st inngs): 9-88 (from 278-1 to 366)
Destroyers: Brett Lee (2-103) and Stuart MacGill (3-70)
Result: Australia won by 9 wickets
India vs New Zealand, Mohali, 2003-04
Collapse (1st inngs): 8-94 (from 330-4 to 424)
Destroyer: Darryl Tuffey (4-80)
Result: Match drawn
India vs New Zealand, Wellington 2002-03
Collapse (2nd innings): 9-90 (from 31-1 to 121)
Destroyers: Shane Bond (4-33), Darryl Tuffey (3-35)
Result: New Zealand win by 10 wickets
India vs West Indies, Mumbai, 2002-03
Collapse: 6-51 (from 401-4 to 457)
Destroyers: Mahendra Nagamootoo (3-132), Cameron Cuffy (2-88)
Result: India won by an innings and 112 runs
India vs England, Lord’s, 2002
Collapse: 7-59 (from 162-3 to 221)
Destroyers: Matthew Hoggard (3-33), Andrew Flintoff (2-22)
Result: England won by 170 runs
India vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 2001-02
Collapse (1st inngs): 6-63 (from 276-4 to 339)
Destroyers: Adam Sanford (3-111) and Marlon Black (3-53)
Collapse (2nd inngs): 6-13 (from 205-4 to 218) (2nd innings)
Destroyers: Mervyn Dillon (4-42) and Cameron Cuffy (3-53)
Result: India won by 37 runs
India vs West Indies, Kingston, 2001-02
Collapse (1st innings): 6-54 (from 168-4 to 212)
Destroyer: Mervyn Dillon (5-71) Collapse (2nd innings): 7-82 (from 170-3 to 252)
Destroyer: Pedro Collins (3-60) and Adam Sanford (3-48)
Result: West Indies won by 155 runs
• Over the last four years, there have been 17 collapses
• 15 of these collapses have been triggered by fast bowlers
• Spinners rarely trouble India’s middle and lower order
• The most successful bowlers have been orthodox left-arm spinners like Clarke, Ray Price and Ashley Giles
• India has won just three matches when a collapse has occurred
• In the same time frame India has lost 10 matches and the remaining matches have all been a draw