Published By: Sanchari Das

IND vs. NZ Test: When 400+ Wasn't Enough- Test Matches India Lost Despite Huge Totals 

A look at how high scores sometimes lead to unexpected defeats

In Test cricket, a total of over 400 often signals control and dominance. Yet, there have been instances where even such hefty scores couldn't secure a win for India. India faced a similar fate in the recently concluded first Test against New Zealand. Despite posting a solid total, they crumbled to a home defeat. New Zealand handed India a rare loss on home soil, winning by eight wickets at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India is now on the brink of losing a home Test series for the first time in over 11 years. With the second Test set for Pune, India must secure a win to stay in contention. Let's take a look at five such occasions where India lost despite scoring 400+ in Test matches, starting with the heartbreak against New Zealand in 2024.

462 vs. New Zealand, Bengaluru, 2024

India's hopes of continuing their home dominance were shattered in Bengaluru when New Zealand pulled off a historic win. Posting a massive 462 in their second innings, India looked set to push the Kiwis into a corner. Sarfaraz Khan’s 150 and Rishabh Pant’s 99 lit up India's second innings. However, the story quickly changed. New Zealand, led by Tom Latham, chased down a mere 107 with ease, securing an eight-wicket victory. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young's partnership sealed the deal for New Zealand, handing India their first home loss to the Kiwis in 36 years.

449 vs. PAK, Bengaluru, 2005

Bengaluru has witnessed some memorable matches, and this one against PAK in 2005 is no exception. After Younis Khan's stunning 267 and Inzamam-ul-Haq's 184 took PAK to 570, India's reply of 449, anchored by Virender Sehwag's blazing 201, fell short of expectations. PAK declared at 261/2 in their second innings, leaving India with a target of 383 on a tricky Day 5 wicket. Shahid Afridi and Danish Kaneria spun their web, and India collapsed to 214 all out. Younis Khan's consistent brilliance won him the Player of the Match, while Sehwag took home the Player of the Series award.

436 vs. England, Hyderabad, 2024

In the first Test of the 2024 series against England, India once again saw a significant total not being enough. After England posted 246 in their first innings, India's reply of 436—powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja—seemed commanding. But England came back stronger, with Ollie Pope's 196 taking them to 421. Chasing 231, India faltered despite Rohit Sharma's steady 39. England's Tom Hartley dismantled India's batting line-up with a remarkable 7/62, bowling them out for 202, sealing a memorable 28-run win.

424 vs. Australia, Bengaluru, 1998

The 1998 series against Australia saw another instance where 400+ wasn't enough for India. A majestic 177 from Sachin Tendulkar and 74 from Navjot Sidhu took India to a strong 424 in the first innings. Australia responded with 400, led by Mark Waugh's unbeaten 153. Anil Kumble's six wickets kept India in the game. Still, the second innings collapsed to just 169, courtesy of Michael Kasprowicz's 5/28, allowing Australia to chase down a modest target of 194 easily. Mark Taylor's captain's knock of 102* sealed a comfortable eight-wicket victory for Australia.

412 vs. England, Chennai, 1985

One of the oldest examples of India losing despite a massive total came against England in 1985. After being bowled out for 272 in the first innings, India found themselves in a deep hole as England posted a colossal 652/7 declared. Graeme Fowler and Mike Gatting's double centuries dismantled India's bowling. In the second innings, India fought back, with Mohammad Azharuddin's 105 and Mohinder Amarnath's 95 guiding them to 412. However, needing just 33 to win, England chased down the target with ease, inflicting a 9-wicket defeat on India.