India’s lowest-ever Test scores
Before India were bowled out for just 36 against Australia at Adelaide in December 2020, 42 had been their lowest total in test cricket.
India registered an embarrassing record when they were bowled out for just 36 in the first test match on their 2020-21 tour of Australia. The venue was the Adelaide Oval with India in a strong position at the end of the first two days of the match.
When day three began, India were expected to dig in and score a big total and bat Australia out of the match. As it turned out, within the first couple of hours, the match turned on its head as India were bowled out for just 36.
The heart of the Indian batting line-up was ripped open by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood who recorded figures of 10.2-4-21-4 and 5-3-8-5 respectively. India lost four of their batsmen without adding a single run at one point and could never recover from there on.
As a result, they recorded their lowest total in the history of test match cricket after all of their batsmen were dismissed for a shocking 36 runs only.
The previous record for India was 42 all out against England in 1974. In that match, England scored 629 runs in their first innings on the back of 188 from Dennis Amiss, 118 from Mike Dennis and 106 from Tony Greig.
India did show some fight and scored 302. But, following on, they surrendered in the last innings after being bowled out for just 42 as the team lost the match by an innings and 285 runs. Eknath Solkar, with 18 runs off 17 deliveries, was the top scorer for India.
Their next worst is a total of 58 which also came against Australia way back in December 1947. Australia declared at 382 for 8 in their first innings with Sir Don Bradman being the top scorer with 185. India were bowled out for just 58 runs in reply.
Skipper Lala Amarnath, with 22 off 44 balls, was their top scorer. In the second innings as well, India were bowled out for just 98 while following on and lost the match by an innings and 226 runs.
They were also bowled out for 58 runs against England at Manchester in July in 1952, when their batting innings lasted for just 21.4 overs. After England declared for 347/9, India were bowled out for just 58 in response. In their next innings as well, India could manage just 82 following on and lost the match by an innings and 207 runs.