From Bridgetown’s sting to Edgbaston’s roar, a look back at India's narrow Test losses chasing modest totals
When it comes to Test cricket, there’s a certain thrill—and a touch of dread—in chasing low scores. For India, the task of knocking off fewer than 200 runs have brought some unforgettable heartbreaks over the years. Recently, that old nightmare resurfaced as India, facing New Zealand on home soil, stumbled in pursuit of a modest 147. India, whitewashed 3-0 at home by New Zealand, closing an 18-home series winning streak that cast doubt on their World Cup dreams, is now on the verge of a make-or-break Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Those memories remain as India prepares to face Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where a 4-0 victory is required to advance to the World Test Championship Final. Will India's batters hold steadfast this time, or will the ghosts of past chases loom large? Let us look at the near calls that have defined India's history of chasing under 200 in test cricket.
Bridgetown (1997)—India, barely 120 runs away from a historic triumph in the West Indies, was poised for success. However, as Curtly Ambrose and Ian Bishop launched unrelenting spells, India's hopes were dashed. With each wicket, the expectation became disbelief. Ambrose took three, and Bishop took four, leaving India's innings in ruins.
Sachin Tendulkar and his team nearly made it over 80 runs, finishing 38 short. Shivnarine Chanderpaul's previous 137* laid the groundwork for the West Indies' defences, but their bowlers led a furious comeback, halting India's march in a cruel manner.
Fast forward to 2024, and India is again facing a sub-200 target. New Zealand, who few expected to whitewash India at home, set a target of 147 for the third Test. What unfolded was nothing short of spectacular. Ajaz Patel, born in Mumbai but representing New Zealand, was outstanding, creating a web that India's batters couldn't escape.
Rishabh Pant attempted a bold counterattack with a 64, but India's hopes were dashed when he fell, as they were dismissed for 121. New Zealand's bowlers, led by Patel, had changed a seemingly manageable target into a steep climb, leaving India 25 runs behind and losing the series.
Galle, 2015—a lush, spinning track that paved the way for an Indian chase of 176. After taking a 192-run lead in the first innings, Sri Lanka faced a strong comeback from India. But Rangana Herath, the astute left-arm spinner, had other ideas. He took seven wickets (7-48) with unrelenting precision, turning the ball square and putting Indian batters in a trance they couldn't escape.
Sri Lanka had just recently displayed tenacity against Pakistan, and they used that endurance against India. What appeared to be an easy chase quickly turned into a stunning collapse, with India losing by 63 runs.
The 2018 Edgbaston Test will be remembered as one of India's most painful missed opportunities. England's bowlers, headed by a pumped-up Ben Stokes, spectacularly tore through the Indian lineup. Virat Kohli, who was playing a fantastic innings, appeared to be on track to lead India to victory. His steely 51, following a magnificent 149 in the first innings, reminded fans of his incredible but tragic performance in Adelaide four years ago.
However, once Stokes dismissed him, India's battle unravelled rapidly. Kohli's dismissal heralded the end, as India folded for 162, falling 31 runs short of the target.
