Top 5 lowest team totals of India in Test matches
Follow Us
India endured one of their darkest days in Test cricket history on Day 3 of the first Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval when they were bowled out for a paltry score of 36. The performance was arguably one of the most clueless displays of batting by a side in Test match cricket. Against the relentless bowling of the Aussie pacers and the tough conditions to bowl on, none of the Indian batters could get any sort of rhythm going.
The Australian pacers led by Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were consistent and accurate with their bowling plans as batsmen kept nicking one delivery after another to the wicket-keeper. In the end the score of 36 created history as being the lowest Test match score in 65 years. Only New Zealand and South Africa have registered a lower score than 36. Amidst all the discussion surrounding India’s performance and questions of whether they will bounce back from the same, we take a look at India’s 5 lowest scores in Test match history.
5. 66 vs South Africa – 1996
India toured South Africa in 1996 and in the very first Test at Durban, India produced not one but two dismal batting displays. South Africa batted first and got 235 – a moderate score on the surface given the time period. India were then skittled out for 100 before South Africa made 259 to set India a huge target of almost 400.
In the chase, India had no clue to the legendary South African pace attack comprising of Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and Lance Klusener. With the exception of Rahul Dravid who scored a remarkable 27 not out of 73 balls, no other Indian batter reached double figures. If not for ‘The Wall’, this match could well have been at No. 1 on this list.
4. 58 vs England – 1952
In what was a disastrous tour to England just 5 years after independence from the same nation, India were thrashed in the third Test match in Manchester. England batted first and piled on the runs to declare at 347/9. India in response once again, like in the previous case, put on two dismal efforts. Firstly, there were bundled out for just 58 with Fred Trueman taking 8 wickets.
If not for Vijay Hazare and Vijay Manjrekar who both crossed 15, the score could very well have been less than 20. India were then invited to bat again following the enforcement of the follow-on and the batters fared fairly better this time but were dismissed for 82 as England secured a walk in the park.
3. 58 vs Australia – 1947
This was another match that pretty much followed the same template as the previous match on the list. Australia batted first and declared on 382/8 with Sir Donald Bradman scoring 185. India then could only manage a total of 58 against a ruthless Australian pace attack. It was Lala Amarnath who scored 22 to salvage the situation a bit.
India were then asked to follow on and again couldn’t reach three figures. They reached 98 this time. Ernie Toshack was the man of the match for Australia as he picked up 11 wickets in the match. The Indians were clearly lacking in practice against left-arm bowlers of the kind of Toshack who could get the ball to come in to right handers.
2. 42 vs England – 1974
At the now-famous Lord’s Test in 1974, England batted first and put on a batting masterclass. Led by centuries from Dennis Amiss, Mike Denness and Tony Greig, the score read a mammoth 629. India in reply did put on a more than decent batting effort but couldn’t avoid the follow-on as they were dismissed for 302.
It was the follow-on innings where nightmare ensued for the Indians. None of the batters with the exception of Eknath Solkar crossed 5 runs. If not for Solkar, the score could very well have been the lowest ever in Test cricket history today. Geoff Arnold picked up 4 wickets while Chris Old got 5 and the No. 11 batsman for India was retired hurt (sounds familiar?).
1. 36 vs Australia – 2020
The Lord’s Test record was expected to stand for many more years given how talented the current crop of Indian cricketers were. But on a bowler-friendly Adelaide Oval track, the Aussie pacers had different ideas. Batting first, India got to a fighting 244 before bundling out Australia for 191. Just when fans and pundits thought India were in the driver’s seat. It all went awry.
From an overnight score of 9/1, India were shot out for 36. Incredibly, not a single batsman reached double figures. Josh Hazlewood picked up a fifer while Pat Cummins got four to shellshock the Indians. Mohammad Shami getting retired hurt towards the end only compounded the woes on what was a truly unforgettable day of cricket for all the wrong reasons (from an Indian point of view).
Stay Updated!
Nevin Clinton
(2399 Articles Published)