Lowest test scores for India in test history

The Indian cricket team is one of the finest and the leading teams in all three formats. The team has won hundreds of matches and created unbreakable records. These records are what make the team exceptional and distinct from its competitors. Unfortunately, there are a few records by the team that they should learn from and move on. In the ongoing test match of India vs New Zealand, India was seen going through a very hard time in the 1st match. Here Sportzpoint.com will point out the matches with the lowest scores of India in test history.

Australia- 2020

In the second innings of the first test match of the 2019-20 India tour to Australia, India skittled for 36 just runs in 21.2 overs. This is India's lowest ever test score. None of the Indian cricketers could stand in front of the exceptional Australian bowling lineup. Mayank Agarwal scored the most among all the Indian cricketers with only 9 runs. Moreover, it was one of the disastrous performances of the team ever. But the overall result at the end of the series was in favor of India as India won the series 2-1.

Also Read: Lowest Test Total by India in Home Test

England- 1974

In the 1974 India tour to England, India had a disastrous test match. In the 2nd innings of the 2nd test match, the England bowlers took only 17 overs to send all the visitors back to the pavilion. The team scored a total of only 42 runs and lost the match by an innings and 285 runs.

New Zealand- 2024

India recorded its third-lowest total ever during the second day of the opening Test against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. India was bowled out for 46, which is the lowest total at home, by a disciplined New Zealand fast bowling attack. This is also the first time four of the top seven India batters were dismissed for a duck in a home Test. Overall, India’s 46 is now the lowest total in Asia, surpassing 53 by West Indies against Pakistan at Faisalabad in 1986, and then by Pakistan against Australia at Sharjah in 2002. And it all happened just over a session that was interrupted by a brief shower. 

Australia- 1947

In just 21.3 overs, the Aussies swept away all the Indians with a total of only 58 runs. The match took place in Brisbane in the India tour of Australia. 58 runs were the total of the first innings which was followed by a total of 98 in the second innings. Without a single thought, the host won the match by an innings and 226 runs.

England- 1952

Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester witnessed one of the worst performances of the Indian test team during the 3rd match of the India tour of England. In the first innings, the visitors had a hard time scoring runs and ended up getting all out at 58 runs in 21.4 overs. The 1st innings was followed up by 82 all out in the 2nd innings. The host country won the match by an innings and 207 runs.

Also Read: Most consecutive test series wins at home: India eye their 19th test series win at home against New Zealand

South Africa- 1996

In the first test match of the 1996 India tour of South Africa, South Africa won the match by a whooping 328 runs. The reason behind the host's big victory is a very poor performance by the Indian team. In the first innings, the visitors went all out by scoring 100 runs which were followed by a total of 66 runs in 34.1 overs. The match was hosted in Durban.

Australia- 1948

The 1948 Indian tour of Australia was a big disaster. Firstly the visitors lost the series badly, and on top of that, the Indian team also scored one of its lowest scores in test history. In the 5th test match hosted in Melbourne, India scored 67 runs all out in the second innings. The host bowlers took only 24.2 overs to send the Indian cricketers back to the pavilion.

West Indies- 1987

Within only 30.5 overs, the West Indies cricketers sent all the Indian cricketers back to the pavilion in the 1987 test series. In the 1987-88 West Indies tour of India, the Indian team only managed to score 75 runs in 30.5 overs. This was the result of the first innings of the 1st test match hosted in Delhi. Arun Lal scored the highest runs with only 20. The visitors won the match by 5 wickets and led the 4-match series 1-0.

Also Read: Top 5 players with the most man of the series awards in International cricket

South Africa- 2008

Once again the Indian team scored one of its lowest test scores against South Africa in 2008. India managed to score only 76 runs as they what all out within 20 overs. This happened in the 2nd test of the South Africa tour of India hosted in Ahmedabad. It was quite shocking to see the horrifying performance of the Indian team despite the presence of legendary batsmen like Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, and Wasim Jaffer.

Surprisingly the bowler, Irfan Pathan scored the highest run in this innings and made 21 runs. Dale Steyn had a terrific impact on the match as he picked up a few important wickets and also a fifer. AB de Villiers won the Player of the Match as he scored a double ton in the 1st innings. Without any doubt, South Africa won the match by an innings and 90 runs.

England- 2021

The most recent disappointing performance of the Indian cricket team is the 3rd test match against England. Despite the presence of eminent batsmen like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, and Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian team could not score more than 78 in 40.4 overs. The match resulted in the favour of England as they won the 3rd match of the series. The result of the ongoing series is 1-1 between India and England.