India is known to have a formidable batting lineup, which has accumulated some mighty scores in Test cricket.
But, on some occasions, the batting lineup didn’t click and slumped to record the lowest totals.
During the 2024 Bengaluru Test against New Zealand, the Men in Blue were all out for a score of just 46 runs.
On that note, let’s look at the top 10 India’s lowest team totals in Test cricket.
Top 10 India’s lowest score in test cricket
| Rank | Total Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 78/10 | England | Leeds | 2021 |
| 9 | 76/10 | South Africa | Ahmedabad | 2008 |
| 8 | 75/10 | West Indies | Delhi | 1987 |
| 7 | 67/10 | Australia | Melbourne | 1948 |
| 6 | 66/10 | South Africa | Durban | 1996 |
| 5 | 58/10 | Australia | Brisbane | 1947 |
| 4 | 58/10 | England | Manchester | 1952 |
| 3 | 46/10 | New Zealand | Bengaluru | 2024 |
| 2 | 42/10 | England | Lord’s | 1974 |
| 1 | 36/10 | Australia | Adelaide | 2020 |
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10. 78/10 vs England | Leeds, 2021
In the third Test against England at Leeds, India were bundled out for 78 runs. After electing to bat first, England’s pacers ran through India’s batting lineup, ending the innings in 40.4 overs.
Rohit Sharma (19) and Ajinkya Rahane (18) were the only two batters to reach double figures for India. The Indian team lost the match by an innings and 76 runs.
9. 76/10 vs South Africa | Ahmedabad, 2008
After a draw in the Chennai Test, India slipped to 76 all out in the Ahmedabad Test. Irfan Pathan top-scored for India, as batters failed to hold their ground.
The South African pace trio of Dale Steyn (5), Makhaya Ntini (3), and Morne Morkel (2) wrapped up India in just 20 overs. India did perform better in the second innings, but it wasn’t enough to save the match.
8. 75/10 vs West Indies | Delhi, 1987
India’s second-lowest Test total at home came against West Indies back in 1987. The West Indian pacers razed the Indian batting lineup for a mere 75 runs in the first innings at Delhi.
Arun Lal scored the most runs (20), followed by Kiran More (12) and captain Dilip Vengsarkar (10). India made a resounding comeback in their next innings, setting a 276-run target, but the West Indies chased it easily.
7. 67/10 vs Australia | Melbourne, 1948
In what was their first-ever Test series in Australia, India recorded a humiliating total at the MCG. India had already lost the series, and they were playing the last Test.
In their first innings, India scored 331 runs and Australia imposed a follow-on. With India still trailing by 244 runs, the team got all out on 67 runs.
6. 66/10 vs South Africa | Durban, 1996
India had a forgettable start to their 1996 South Africa tour. They were bowled out for 100 runs in their first innings.
Later, they were chasing a 395-run target. But South Africa wrapped up India for 66 runs, handing them a defeat by 328 runs.
5. 58/10 vs England | Manchester, 1952
After England declared their first innings on 347 runs, India came out to bat. But the Indian batters didn’t pose any challenge to England’s bowlers.
India were bowled out on the score of 58, with Vijay Manjrekar (22) being the top scorer. Then, England decided to impose a follow-on and bowled out India again on 82, winning the match by an innings and 207 runs.
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4. 58/10 vs Australia | Brisbane, 1947
India had faced the same situation a few years ago in their first-ever Test match in Australia. The home side posted 328 runs on the board.
India came out to bat and were skittled to 58 runs by Australian bowlers. The second innings also didn’t go well, as they were all out on 98, with Australia winning the match by an innings and 226 runs.
3. 46/10 vs New Zealand | Bengaluru, 2024
On an overcast second day in Bengaluru, India logged their lowest Test total on home soil. New Zealand’s seamers benefitted from the friendly conditions as India opted to bat first.
They ran through the Indian lineup, bowling them out for 46, which is now India’s third-lowest total in Test cricket. Five India batters were out for a duck, including Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
2. 42/10 vs England | Lord’s, 1974
India’s second-lowest score came against England at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in 1974. The Men in Blue conceded 629 runs, and in reply, they mustered 302 in their first effort.
With a 327-run lead, England enforced a follow-on on India and bundled them out for 42 runs. Only Eknath Solkar (18*) reached double figures for India, with no other batter scoring more than 5 runs.
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1. 36/10 vs Australia | Adelaide, 2020
After being in the driving seat for half of the match, India lost control over the proceedings in their second innings.
In the first innings, India reached 244 runs and later bowled out Australia for 191 runs, taking a lead of 53 runs. But Australia made a fitting comeback with the ball and wrapped up India for their lowest-ever Test total of 36 runs.
Australia went on to win the first Test, but then India made a remarkable comeback and bagged the BGT 2-1.
