Top 5 biggest defeats of Team India in Test cricket

The second Take a look at between India and South Africa on the Barsapara Cricket Stadium concluded with a devastating consequence for the hosts, who suffered a large 408-run defeat. The loss not solely sealed a 2-0 sequence sweep for the Proteas—their first Take a look at sequence win on Indian soil since 2000—but in addition etched a grim new report into the historical past books. This monumental loss now stands as the biggest defeat in Group India’s lengthy Take a look at historical past, surpassing the earlier worst margins by a major distance. On that word, let’s take a look at a few of India’s largest defeats within the longest format.

Group India’s 5 largest Take a look at defeats (by runs)

408 runs vs South Africa (Guwahati, 2025)

This monumental 408-run defeat towards South Africa stands as India’s heaviest loss ever in Take a look at cricket by a margin of runs, sealing a historic 2-0 sequence sweep for the guests—their first sequence victory on Indian soil in 25 years. South Africa dominated throughout departments, posting a mammoth 489 within the first innings, largely because of Senuran Muthusamy‘s century and Marco Jansen‘s 93. Jansen adopted up with a harmful 6/48 with the ball to dismiss India for 201. Chasing an unbelievable 549, the Indian batting lineup collapsed towards off-spinner Simon Harmer, who claimed a career-best 6/37 within the fourth innings, incomes him the Participant of the Collection award. The competition additionally noticed Aiden Markram set a brand new world report for essentially the most catches by a fielder in a single Take a look at match (9).

342 runs vs Australia (Nagpur, 2004)

This crushing defeat, which beforehand stood as India’s heaviest by runs, occurred in the course of the 2004 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and was instrumental in Australia securing their first Take a look at sequence win on Indian soil since 1969. The match was characterised by a controversial, fast-bowler pleasant pitch—reportedly ready towards the desires of the Indian captain—that performed completely into Australia’s arms. The Australian dominance was absolute, highlighted by a deadly spell from quick bowler Jason Gillespie, who claimed 9 wickets within the match, systematically dismantling the Indian batting lineup that crumbled whereas chasing a mammoth 543-run goal.

341 runs vs Pakistan (Karachi, 2006)

India’s largest defeat away from residence got here in the course of the third Take a look at of the 2006 sequence in Karachi, regardless of an electrifying begin the place Irfan Pathan turned the primary bowler in Take a look at historical past to take a hat-trick within the first over of the match. Nonetheless, the preliminary benefit was rapidly erased as Pakistan’s decrease order recovered strongly, after which their top-order placed on a powerful show within the second innings. Seven of the eight Pakistani batters to take the crease within the third and fourth innings scored fifty or extra, setting an unreachable goal. India’s subsequent batting collapse, led by a four-wicket haul from Abdul Razzaq, sealed the large 341-run loss.

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337 runs vs Australia (Melbourne, 2007)

This heavy Boxing Day Take a look at loss, which opened the controversial 2007-08 Border-Gavaskar Trophy sequence, noticed India collapse within the fourth innings whereas chasing a demanding goal of 499 runs. After Australia declared their second innings, organising an virtually unimaginable chase, the Indian batters have been unable to resist the Australian tempo assault, folding for a mere 161 runs on a deteriorating MCG pitch. The match was a transparent show of Australia’s relentless bowling and took a heavy toll on the Indian crew’s confidence, setting a dismal tone for the contentious sequence that adopted.

333 runs vs Australia (Pune, 2017)

The 333-run defeat towards Australia in 2017 was arguably one in every of India’s most stunning residence losses in latest reminiscence, because it ended the crew’s spectacular 19-match unbeaten streak below then-captain Virat Kohli. The match was performed on an especially spin-friendly pitch, but it surely was the visiting left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe who exploited the circumstances most successfully, claiming a spectacular match haul of 12 wickets for simply 70 runs—the all time figures by a visiting spinner in India on the time. India’s batting lineup failed spectacularly in each innings, getting bowled out for 105 and 107, demonstrating how overly-aggressive pitch preparation can backfire.

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