Top 5 lowest targets defended by India in test cricket

India haven’t defended a target below 100 ever in test cricket.

Team India have been one of the top sides in test cricket because of the success they have had in this format. They have registered some of the craziest wins in the longest format of the game.

Some wins came with a massive win or even with 10 wickets, but India have also won some matches while defending very low totals. Chasing a target in the fourth innings is always difficult.

India have proved this right by defending some very low totals. In this article, we will talk about the top five lowest totals for India, which they defended successfully in test cricket.

List of top five lowest targets defended by India in test cricket

5. 188 vs New Zealand, Brabourne, 1969

The fifth-lowest target successfully defended by India in test cricket was against New Zealand. This match took place at the Brabourne Cricket Stadium, Mumbai in September 1969. India had only 188 runs to defend on the last day of the game.

But, the Indian spin duo of Erapalli Prasanna (4/74) and Bishan Singh Bedi (6/42) bowled 63 overs between them and took ten wickets to dismiss New Zealand for 127 in 69.5 overs to win the game by 60 runs. Both bowlers took 8 wickets each in the game.

4. 188 vs Australia, Bengaluru, 2017

India’s fourth-lowest target, which they defended in fourth innings of a test was against Australia in Bengaluru in 2017. This was the second game of the series, and India had to defend 188 runs against a strong Australian side.

Ravichandran Ashwin gave India their first and last wickets in that innings and took a 6-wicket haul. Ashwin took 6/41 and Australia were bundled out for just 112 runs in 35.4 overs. India won that game by 75 runs in the end.

3. 170 vs South Africa, Ahmedabad, 1996

India have also defended a target of 170 runs in test cricket. It came against South Africa in Ahmedabad in November 1996. Trailing by 19 runs in the second innings, India were bowled out for just 190 runs and managed to set a target of 170 against South Africa.

South Africa had a target of 170 to win, but Javagal Srinath bowled an exceptional new ball spell of 6/21 in just 11.5 overs. Anil Kumble supported him with 3/34. South Africa got all out for 105 runs in 38.5 overs, losing the game by 64 runs.

2. 143 vs Australia, Melbourne, 1981

The first time that India defended a score of less than 150 runs in test cricket was in 1981 at the MCG against Australia. It was India’s only win on that tour, which came in the third and final test. Trailing by 182 runs, India scored 324 runs in the second innings, setting a target of 143 for the hosts.

Austrlaia, who made 419 runs in the first innings, had a horrible collapse. They were all out for just 83 runs in 48.4 overs. Kapil Dev took 5/28, while Karsan Ghavri (2/10) and Dilip Doshi (2/33) also supported him to take India to a famous victory.

1. 107 vs Australia, Wankhede, 2004

The lowest target successfully defended by India was against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in 2004. It is also the third-lowest successfully defended target of all time. India got all out for just 104 runs in the first innings and Australia took a 99-run lead. 

India battled their way out to 205 runs in the second innings, giving Australia a target of just 107 runs. Australia were firm favorites to win.

But, Indian spinners spun their web around and restricted Australia to just 93 in 30.5 overs. Harbhajan Singh took 5/29 and Murali Karthik took 3/32 to help India script history.

(All stats updated till 19th October, 2024)

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