Test cricket, the purest form of the game, tests a team’s endurance, skill, and mental strength. However, even the best teams face monumental challenges, leading to collapses that go down in cricket history. India, with its rich cricket legacy, is no exception. In this blog, we will explore India’s lowest scores in Test cricket, compare them with other international low scores, and analyze what went wrong in those infamous matches.
India’s Lowest Scores in Test Cricket
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Table of Contents:
- Introduction to Test Cricket and Low Scores
- Historical Overview: India’s 10 Lowest Scores
- Listicle: 10 Lowest Scores in Test Cricket History
- Listicle: India’s 5 Most Disastrous Test Innings
- Comparative Analysis: India’s Low Scores vs Other Nations
- Detailed Match Analysis
- India’s 36 All Out (2020) vs Australia
- India’s 42 All Out (1974) vs England
- India’s 46 All Out (2024) vs New Zealand
- Impact of Bowling Attacks on India’s Collapse
- Analytics: Patterns in Low Scores
- Lessons Learned and Future of India’s Batting Line-up
- Conclusion: From Disasters to Determination
1. Introduction to Test Cricket and Low Scores
Test cricket is the ultimate test of a cricketer’s skill and patience. Matches span over five days, allowing time for batting strategies to develop and for bowlers to exploit even the smallest weaknesses in the opposition. However, there are days when the batting team crumbles under pressure, resulting in astonishingly low scores.
Why Low Scores Happen in Test Cricket:
- Pitch Conditions: Green, damp pitches tend to offer more swing and seam to fast bowlers, making batting difficult.
- Quality of the Bowling Attack: Legendary bowlers like James Anderson, Dale Steyn, and Pat Cummins have consistently destroyed batting line-ups.
- Poor Shot Selection: Lack of patience and improper shot selection under pressure often lead to collapses.
- Weather Conditions: Swing-friendly or overcast conditions make it difficult for batsmen to survive.
2. Historical Overview: India’s 10 Lowest Scores
India has faced a few collapses that have shocked fans and players alike. These performances highlight the vulnerabilities of even the most experienced batting lineups. Below are India’s 10 lowest scores in Test cricket, starting from the recent 46-all out disaster against New Zealand.
| Match | Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs Australia | 36 | Australia | Adelaide | 2020 |
| India vs England | 42 | England | Lord’s | 1974 |
| India vs New Zealand | 46 | New Zealand | Bangalore | 2024 |
| India vs England | 58 | England | Manchester | 1952 |
| India vs Australia | 58 | Australia | Brisbane | 1947 |
| India vs South Africa | 66 | South Africa | Durban | 1996 |
| India vs England | 75 | England | Delhi | 1967 |
| India vs West Indies | 81 | West Indies | Bridgetown | 1997 |
| India vs New Zealand | 83 | New Zealand | Wellington | 1976 |
| India vs Pakistan | 87 | Pakistan | Kolkata | 1987 |
3. Listicle: 10 Lowest Scores in Test Cricket History
Apart from India, several teams have also endured forgettable innings. Here’s a listicle of the 10 lowest scores in Test cricket history:
- New Zealand – 26 all out vs England (Auckland, 1955)
- South Africa – 30 all out vs England (Port Elizabeth, 1896)
- South Africa – 30 all out vs England (Birmingham, 1924)
- Australia – 36 all out vs England (Birmingham, 1902)
- India – 36 all out vs Australia (Adelaide, 2020)
- South Africa – 35 all out vs England (Cape Town, 1899)
- Pakistan – 49 all out vs South Africa (Johannesburg, 2013)
- New Zealand – 45 all out vs South Africa (Cape Town, 2013)
- Australia – 47 all out vs South Africa (Cape Town, 2011)
- West Indies – 47 all out vs England (Kingston, 2004)
4. Listicle: India’s 5 Most Disastrous Test Innings
Here’s a closer look at India’s 5 worst collapses in Test cricket, each a turning point in Indian cricket history:
1. 36 All Out – India vs Australia, Adelaide (2020)
In the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, India was bowled out for 36, their lowest-ever Test score. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins ripped through the Indian lineup, leaving the fans in shock.
2. 42 All Out – India vs England, Lord’s (1974)
During the 1974 England tour, India was bowled out for 42 at Lord’s, which was the lowest score at that time. Chris Old and Geoff Arnold exploited the overcast conditions to leave the Indian batting in tatters.
3. 46 All Out – India vs New Zealand, Bangalore (2024)
On October 17, 2024, India recorded their third-lowest total, all out for 46 against New Zealand at Bangalore. Matt Henry’s 5-wicket haul destroyed the Indian batting, with only two players scoring double digits.
4. 58 All Out – India vs England, Manchester (1952)
In 1952, India faced a tough England bowling attack and was bowled out for 58 at Manchester, unable to handle the pace of Fred Trueman.
5. 66 All Out – India vs South Africa, Durban (1996)
Facing South Africa in 1996, India was all out for 66 in Durban, with Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock terrorizing the Indian batting order.
5. Comparative Analysis: India’s Low Scores vs Other Nations
India’s low scores, while shocking, are not unique in Test cricket. Teams like New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia have all faced similar collapses, some of which are worse than India’s. Below is a comparison of the lowest scores by major Test-playing nations:
| Team | Lowest Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 26 | England | Auckland | 1955 |
| South Africa | 30 | England | Port Elizabeth | 1896 |
| Australia | 36 | England | Birmingham | 1902 |
| Pakistan | 49 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 2013 |
| India | 36 | Australia | Adelaide | 2020 |
| West Indies | 47 | England | Kingston | 2004 |
As seen from the table, while India’s 36 all out is still shocking, other teams like South Africa and New Zealand have also faced their share of disastrous innings.
36 All Out – India vs Australia (2020, Adelaide)
India’s 36 all-out remains one of the most shocking collapses in modern cricket. In the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide, India appeared to be in control after securing a 53-run first-innings lead. However, on Day 3, India’s entire lineup was demolished in the second innings by Josh Hazlewood (5/8) and Pat Cummins (4/21), who bowled at relentless lengths on a pitch that offered extra bounce. India’s batsmen struggled to cope, with Mayank Agarwal’s 9 being the highest individual score. The collapse not only ended the match in a humiliating defeat but also marked India’s lowest total in Test history. Australia went on to win by 8 wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
This match sparked intense discussions about India’s mental toughness, particularly after the injury to skipper Virat Kohli, who had to leave the series due to personal reasons. However, India famously bounced back in later matches, securing a historic 2-1 series win, showing great resilience after one of the most embarrassing collapses.
42 All Out – India vs England (1974, Lord’s)
Known as the “Summer of 42,” this infamous collapse happened during the third Test of the 1974 series against England at Lord’s. After a respectable first-innings total, India entered their second innings needing to chase 438. However, they were demolished for just 42 runs in 17 overs. English pacers Chris Old (5/21) and Geoff Arnold (4/19)took full advantage of the overcast conditions. The only Indian batsmen to reach double figures were Eknath Solkar (18), as the rest of the lineup collapsed dramatically. This remains one of India’s darkest moments in Test cricket, as England won by an innings and 285 runs.
This match was a turning point in the perception of India’s overseas performances. The team struggled with swinging conditions and was unable to adjust to the English bowlers’ precision and pace, which led to them losing the series.
46 All Out – India vs New Zealand (2024, Bangalore)
The most recent entry in India’s low-score list came in October 2024, during the first Test against New Zealand at Bangalore. After opting to bat first, India’s decision backfired as the team was bowled out for 46 runs in a shocking collapse. Matt Henry, the Kiwi pacer, was the star with a 5-wicket haul (5/15), while William O’Rourke provided excellent support, taking 4 wickets. Only Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) and Rishabh Pant (20) managed double figures.
The pitch at Bangalore had enough movement and bounce to assist the New Zealand seamers, and the Indian batting order had no answers. This collapse marked India’s third-lowest score in Test history and its lowest-ever total at home. New Zealand capitalized on India’s weak batting to dominate the match.
7. Impact of Bowling Attacks on India’s Collapse
India’s low scores often coincide with facing some of the most lethal bowling attacks in Test history. In many of the matches where India collapsed, conditions heavily favored seam and swing bowling. For example:
- Australia (2020): The Adelaide pitch offered pace and bounce, which was exploited by Cummins and Hazlewood. India’s technical deficiencies outside the off-stump were exposed.
- England (1974): Lord’s overcast conditions allowed the English seamers to move the ball both ways, leaving Indian batsmen clueless.
- New Zealand (2024): Bangalore’s green surface, along with sharp movement off the pitch, allowed Matt Henry to extract extra bounce, leading to India’s downfall.
Each of these bowlers brought their unique strengths to the fore:
- Josh Hazlewood: Consistent length, exploiting bounce and accuracy.
- Chris Old: Excellent control over swing.
- Matt Henry: Lethal accuracy combined with seam movement.
8. Analytics: Patterns in Low Scores
Analyzing India’s collapses reveals common patterns across these matches:
- Batting First: In many of these low-score matches, India opted to bat first, and their openers struggled to set a foundation.
- Over-reliance on Key Players: India has historically relied on a few star players. When top-order batsmen like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, or Sunil Gavaskar failed early, the rest of the lineup often crumbled.
- Bowler Dominance: Most of these collapses occurred in foreign conditions where seamers extracted movement from the pitch.
- Failure to Adjust to Conditions: Indian batsmen often failed to adapt to pitch and weather conditions that heavily favored bowlers.
Below is a breakdown of India’s average scores when facing aggressive fast bowling attacks in tough conditions over the past few decades:
| Bowling Attack | Average Runs Per Wicket | Major Collapse Instances |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Hazlewood, Cummins) | 22.1 | Adelaide (2020) |
| England (Anderson, Broad) | 26.4 | Lord’s (1974), Manchester (1952) |
| New Zealand (Henry, Southee) | 23.9 | Bangalore (2024), Wellington (1976) |
9. Lessons Learned and Future of India’s Batting Line-up
Resilience in the Face of Defeats
India’s 46 all-out against New Zealand adds another chapter to their history of collapses, but it also provides an opportunity for the team to introspect and learn. Historically, India has bounced back from such humiliating defeats. After the 36 all-out in Adelaide, India secured one of their greatest series wins, famously defeating Australia 2-1. The key lesson from these collapses is that mental toughness and strategic adjustments are necessary when playing under tough conditions.
Adapting to Foreign Conditions
One major area of improvement is how Indian batsmen approach challenging conditions abroad. India’s batting techniques often need adjustments when playing on swinging and seaming pitches. Top-order batsmen like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rohit Sharma will need to improve their footwork and temperament, especially in overseas conditions.
Developing a Strong Middle Order
India’s middle-order has often struggled when early wickets fall. Players like Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer will be key to holding the team together during future collapses. India’s reliance on star batsmen needs to evolve into a more well-rounded lineup.
Focus on Bowling Attack
India’s bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, have shown their capability in turning around games. While India’s batting has faltered, their bowlers have been able to exert pressure, as seen in their comeback victories after previous collapses.
10. Conclusion: From Disasters to Determination
India’s record of low Test scores highlights both their struggles and their resilience. The 46 all-out against New Zealand is the latest in a series of batting collapses, but if history is any guide, India’s fighting spirit will soon lead to a comeback. Low scores in Test cricket serve as reminders of the game’s unpredictability and the immense pressure players face. While these moments are tough to watch, they are integral to the narrative of Indian cricket, and with every collapse comes a chance for redemption.
In the end, India’s ability to bounce back from these low scores is what defines their cricketing journey. From 36 all-outto winning against Australia, or from 42 all-out to rebuilding their team, India’s strength lies in its determination to overcome adversity.