From Ahmedabad dustbowls to the Oval heartbreaks, here’s a look at the times when England’s batting completely fell apart in Tests against India
Test cricket is often seen as a test of patience, technique, and temperament. But sometimes, that Test becomes brutally one-sided. While England has had moments of dominance over India, it has also experienced several spells of chaos—collapses that fall like a house of cards in a storm.
As the 2025 England vs India Test series approaches, we look back at five of England's lowest totals against India.
England 112 & 81 all out | India 145 & 49/0 | India won by 10 wickets
The third Test of the 2021 series was a pink-ball match. However, for England, the warning signs were clear. After choosing to bat first, they collapsed for 112, with only Zak Crawley (53) providing any resistance. Axar Patel dominated the batting order with figures of 6 for 38.
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Then came the second innings—an even greater disaster. England was dismissed for just 81. Patel took another 5 wickets, and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed four. This two-day Test concluded with India chasing only 49, and they accomplished it without losing a wicket.
England 101 all out (2nd innings) | India won by 4 wickets
The final Test of India's 1971 tour was historic. After England posted 355 in their first innings, India fought hard to reach 284.
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But the match turned on its head in England's second innings. They were bowled out for 101 on a turning Oval pitch. Bhagwat Chandrasekhar ran riot with 6 wickets, and India chased down 173 to secure their first-ever series win in England.
England 102 all out (1st innings) | India won by 279 runs
India scored 272 in the first innings. Then Kapil Dev, Madan Lal, and Roger Binny dismantled England for 102. The trio bowled with pace, purpose, and perfect lines.
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India added 237 more in the second innings, setting England a formidable 408 to win. Once again, the batting collapsed. They were bowled out for 128, and India recorded a commanding 279-run victory, their first Test win at Headingley.
England 166 & 102 all out | India won by 138 runs
Defending 241, India unleashed Kapil Dev at his most fiery. After a close contest in the first innings, the match swung in favour of India due to his spell in the second.
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England was all out for 102 in just 26.2 overs. Kapil took 5 for 70, with good support from Madan Lal. From 29 for 5 to 102 all out, the innings struggled to get started. India secured a dramatic 138-run victory, powered by their pace spearhead.
England 120 all out (2nd innings) | India won by 151 runs
In 2021, the Test match at Lord's shifted the series' momentum. England led for much of the final day, while India lost half their players with just over 200 runs on the board. Then Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah defied expectations, pushing India's lead beyond 270.
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England, chasing 272, collapsed to 120 all out, with Bumrah and Siraj delivering fiery spells. Only Joe Root scored 33 but couldn't sustain his innings. India's win by 151 runs became one of their most memorable victories in England.
