Lowest Test Total by India in Home Test

Cricket is a game of great unpredictability, where even the greatest can fall. The Indian cricket team have achieved many milestones of late, especially in Test cricket. But whenever the pressure was created and things didn't go according to plans, the team crumbled under that pressure, resulting in low totals, even on their home soil. In this article, we will peek into India's lowest test scores at home matches and recall those moments about which one doesn't feel like forgetting.

46 - New Zealand, Bengaluru, 17 October 2024

India's lowest test total in a home test match came against New Zealand in Bengaluru in the first test of the series when Kiwi bowlers rattled through the Indian batting lineup on a cloudy second day. Matt Henry took 5 for 15 while youngster William O’Rourke took 22/4 in the first inning for the visitors.

Only Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) reached the double-figure mark for India. Five Indian batters including Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin scored ducks.

75 - West Indies, Delhi, 25 November 1987 (India Lost)

One of India's most humbling moments came on 25 November 1987 in a Test game against the West Indies at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. India made their lowest home Test getting bowled out for 75 runs. A match that would be etched in the books of cricket history not only because the West Indies won it but also as a reminder to the best that even they can have an off day.

India with a battling lineup consisting of Kris Srikanth, Arun Lal, Raman Lamba, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Sanjay Manjrekar, Kapil Dev and Kiran More, could not face the hostility of Patrick Patterson and Winston Davis. Patterson picked up five wickets for 24 in the first inning while Davis took three wickets. Only Arun Lal, captain Dilip Vengsarkar and Kiran More reached the double-figure mark in that inning for India.

Though India made a comeback in the match by scoring 327 in the second inning with Dilip Vengsarkar scoring a ton, India lost the match by five wickets.

76 - South Africa, Ahmedabad, 3 April 2008 (India Lost)

More recently, India were once again put through another nightmare when they were bowled out for 76 runs against South Africa on 3 April 2008 at Ahmedabad. Despite the great strides India had taken in Test cricket by then, including winning overseas and being a force at home, the South African pace attack spearheaded by Dale Steyn wreaked havoc on the Indian batting order with a 5/23. The Ahmedabad pitch, which offered considerable assistance to the fast bowlers, only made things worse.

The Indian batsmen were overwhelmed by Steyn's steady and accurate bowling, not to forget the support the pitch gave him. Makhaya Ntini took 3 wickets while Morne Morkel took two in that inning. Only Irfan Pathan and MS Dhoni had reached the double-figure mark for India. 

South Africa scored a mammoth 494/7 and then won the match by an innings and 90 runs. AB de Villiers scored a double-century for South Africa in that match.

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83 - England, Chennai, 14 January 1977 (India Lost)

A major setback for India came on 14 January 1977 when they were bowled out for only 83 runs at Chennai. Bob Willis and the rest of the bowling lineup for England totally dominated the Indian batsmen on a turning track that everyone felt was going to be ideal for the hosts.

While chasing 284 in the fourth inning, India's batting lineup surrendered against the spin bowling of Derek Underwood, who took four wickets for 28 while Bob Willis took three wickets for 18 runs. 

Dilip Vengsarkar had to retire hurt in the second inning while only three Indian batters reached the double-figure mark in that inning. India lost the match by 200 runs.

83 - New Zealand, Mohali, 10 October 1999 (Draw)

In October 1999, India survived the defeat only by a few overs despite being bowled out for 83 runs by New Zealand in the first inning in Mohali. The pitch at Mohali was known to provide help to the bowlers, especially seamers, so the New Zealand attack, spearheaded by Dion Nash, made use of it and finished 27/6 in the first inning. 

Interestingly, Javagal Srinath top-scored for India with a 20. India made a solid comeback in the second inning and scored 505/3 and saved the match. Srinath took 8 wickets (6/45 & 2/63) for India in that match while Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar scored centuries.

88 - New Zealand, Brabourne Stadium, 12 March 1965 (Draw)

It had seen one of the lowest Test scores for India when they were bundled for 88 runs against New Zealand on 12 March 1965. New Zealand's medium-pacers along with spinners were those who smoothly exploited conditions taking the bargaining out of the Indian batting. 

Bruce Taylor took five wickets in the first inning as only Farokh Engineer and Chandu Borde could reach the double-figure mark for India. India made a huge comeback after getting followed on by the Kiwis and scored 463/5 in the second inning. Dilip Sardesai scored 200 while Chandu Borde scored 109. 

India nearly won the test match as New Zealand ended with 80/8 in the second inning.