Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke caused chaos with the new ball, bowling India out for a humiliating 46 runs in just 31.2 overs on Thursday. This total of 46 all out represents India’s lowest ever in 293 home Test matches.
The 46 all out, which featured five batters dismissed for ducks, marks the first time India has failed to surpass the 50-run mark in a Test innings at home.
This also marks the second occasion when five Indian batters did not score against New Zealand in a Test at home, the first being during the Mohali Test in 1999.
India’s previous lowest total at home was 75 against the West Indies in 1987, with seamer Patrick Patterson taking five wickets in that match.
India’s overall lowest total was recorded four years ago against Australia when they were bowled out for just 36 runs in Adelaide.
While India’s performance against their neighbors has placed them at the top of the World Test Championship table, their batting order continues to falter against SENA countries. This raises concerns about their preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The Telegraph Online examines India’s lowest team totals in Test matches and notes that Indian batsmen tend to struggle more when facing pace bowlers from SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).
36 vs Australia, December 17, 2020, Adelaide
India faced the embarrassment of posting their lowest Test total during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in the 2020-21 series. They were bowled out for just 36 runs, marking their second sub-50 score in Test history, in the second innings of the first Test at Adelaide. Mayank Agarwal was the top scorer for India, managing only 9 runs off 40 balls.
However, the team made a remarkable comeback in the second Test at Brisbane, ultimately winning the series 2-1.
42 vs England, June 20, 1974, Lord’s
During India’s 1974 tour of England, the second Test match at Lord’s witnessed the visitors collapse for just 42 runs in their second innings after being asked to follow on.
England had posted 629 in their first innings, while India managed 302 and then 42, leading to an innings defeat by 285 runs for the hosts.
Eknath Solkar was India’s top scorer in the second innings, finishing with 18 not out.
46 vs New Zealand, October 16, 2024, Bengaluru
New Zealand’s fast bowlers took full advantage of the overcast conditions at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, delivering a stunning performance against India on Thursday.
The Kiwi pacers dismantled the Indian batting lineup, reducing them to 10/3 within the first 10 overs. By lunch, India had lost six wickets, and their innings came to a close shortly after. Matt Henry (5/15) and William O’Rourke (4/22) were exceptional with the ball.
Rishabh Pant was India’s top scorer, managing just 20 runs.
58 vs Australia, November 28, 1947, Brisbane
In the first Test match between Australia and India in Brisbane in 1947, India was dismissed for just 58 runs in their first innings.
Australia declared their innings after scoring 382 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. In their second innings, India managed only 98 runs, leading to an innings defeat by 226 runs.
Lala Amarnath was India’s top scorer in that innings, contributing 22 runs.
58 vs England, July 17, 1952, Manchester
During India’s 1952 tour of England, the third Test match at Manchester saw the visitors bundled out for just 58 runs in their first innings after England elected to bat first.
England declared their innings at 347 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. India struggled in both innings, scoring 58 and 82, leading to an innings defeat by 207 runs.
Vijay Manjrekar was India’s top scorer in the first innings, contributing 22 runs.
66 vs South Africa, December 26, 1996, Durban
In the first Test match of 1996 in Durban, India was bowled out for just 66 runs in their second innings while chasing a target of 395 runs against South Africa.
South Africa scored 235 in their first innings, while India managed to reach only 100 runs. In their second innings, South Africa added 259 runs, setting a target of 395. The hosts won the match by a substantial margin of 328 runs.
Rahul Dravid, who later became the head coach and captain of India, was the top scorer for the team in the second innings, making 27 runs off 73 balls.
