After the dismal 46 all-out against New Zealand, India finds itself in familiar territory with another low score etched in their Test history
India's final preparations ahead of the Border Gavaskar Test series got off to a nightmarish start. On October 17, 2024, against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, the Indian top order collapsed in a flash. After losing the first day to rain, India opted to bat, but by 23.5 overs, the scoreboard read a shocking 34/6. Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav tried to rescue the innings but fell short, with India all out for just 46. Rishabh Pant's 22 was the highest contribution, as five batters registered ducks, including Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
IND vs NZ 1st Test
— F.C Nitish (@fcnitish970) October 17, 2024
Lowest totals for India in Tests
46 vs NZ, Bengaluru, 2024
IND - 46/10 😞😞#INDvsNZ #TrendingNews #TestCricket #INDvsNZ1sttest pic.twitter.com/a8SohxKLy0
As India registered their third lowest total, let us have a look at India's lowest total ever.
India's lowest Test score, 36 all out, came in 2020 during the first Day/Night Test against Australia at Adelaide. On December 19, India's batting lineup collapsed in the second innings, with no player managing double figures. At 26/8, India looked set to hit rock bottom, narrowly avoiding the lowest-ever Test score of 26. Josh Hazlewood's fiery spell, claiming 5/8, and Pat Cummins' 4/21 shattered India's hopes. Australia quickly chased down the target of 90, winning by 8 wickets. The dramatic collapse left cricket fans across the world stunned.
In 1974, India was humbled at Lord's, bowled out for just 42 in their second innings. This infamous performance remains India's second-lowest Test score. After amassing 629, England forced India to follow on after dismissing them for 302. India's top order crumbled again, with only Eknath Solkar showing resistance, scoring 18. Geoff Arnold and Chris Old tore through the lineup, sharing nine wickets between them. India eventually lost by an innings and 285 runs, marking one of their most humiliating defeats in Test history.
In 1947, India was bowled out for just 58 at Brisbane on their first-ever tour of Australia. Facing a daunting Australian first-innings total of 382/8 declared, India fell apart. Ernie Toshack's 5/2 spell, along with Ray Lindwall and Bill Johnston, dismantled the Indian batting order in just 21.3 overs. Lala Amarnath's 22 was the highest score in that dismal innings. India followed up with 98 in their second innings, losing by an innings and 226 runs, highlighting their early struggles in Test cricket.
India's second encounter with the dreaded number 58 came in 1952 at Old Trafford, Manchester. England posted 347/9 declared, led by captain Leonard Hutton's 104. Fred Trueman then tore through the Indian lineup, taking 8 wickets for 31 runs, restricting India to 58 in their first innings. Though Vijay Manjrekar and Vijay Hazare tried to resist, their efforts were in vain. India managed only 82 in the second innings, losing by an innings and 207 runs. This defeat further emphasised India's early difficulties playing in foreign conditions.
After the dismal 46 all-out against New Zealand, India finds itself in familiar territory with another low score etched in their Test history. These instances remind us of the ups and downs of Test cricket, where conditions, pressure, and skill all combine to challenge even the strongest teams. Though India has seen such lows in the past, they've also fought back from these defeats. With their history of resilience, can they turn things around in the current series? Only time will tell.
