Lowest Team Total India vs England

The Test rivalry between India and England has a long and storied history, filled with great performances and unforgettable moments. However, not every chapter has been about big centuries or match-winning spells. Some matches have been marked by dramatic batting collapses, where one team failed to put up even a three-figure total. Let's take a closer look at the lowest team scores recorded in India vs England Tests, where India have featured heavily on the wrong end of the list.

India's lowest: The infamous 42 at Lord’s

The lowest total in the history of India vs England Test matches belongs to India, who were bowled out for just 42 runs in the third innings at Lord’s in June 1974. This remains India’s lowest-ever score in Test cricket. The innings lasted only 17 overs. The English seamers exploited the conditions perfectly, leading to what is still remembered in Indian cricket folklore as the "Summer of 42".

India's next-lowest score in this rivalry came in 1952 at Manchester, when they were bundled out for 58 runs in the second innings. In the same match, India also posted 82 in the third innings, making it one of their worst Test performances overall. England dominated the game from start to finish, and India’s batting struggled against the pace and swing of the English attack. These back-to-back low scores showed the challenge Indian batsmen faced when playing away from home, particularly during the early decades.

Fast forward to 2021, and India again found themselves in trouble on English soil. In the third Test at Leeds, India were dismissed for just 78 runs in the first innings. This collapse set the tone for a heavy defeat. Despite being a strong side in the modern era, India’s vulnerability in tough English conditions was again exposed.

England’s collapse in Ahmedabad

While India dominates the list of low scores in this rivalry, England also suffered a dramatic collapse recently. In the pink-ball Test at Ahmedabad in February 2021, England were bowled out for just 81 runs in the third innings. On a spinning track, the Indian bowlers, especially Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, ran riot. The English batting line-up had no answers to the turning ball, and the match ended in just two days. This performance was a rare instance of England being bowled out below 100 against India.

These innings reflect the recurring challenge India have faced when batting in seam-friendly or swing-heavy English conditions. Even though Indian batsmen have made great strides in overseas performances in recent years, it will always be a challenge for any batter to survive and score in English conditions.

Batting collapses are part and parcel of Test cricket, and even the best teams have endured tough days. The India vs England rivalry, stretching over decades, has seen its fair share of such instances. While India has often been on the receiving end of these low scores, England have also had their moments of vulnerability. These innings serve as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in Tests and the importance of adapting to conditions.