Top 5 lowest totals in ICC World Test Championship history

The ICC World Test Championship began in 2019.

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) was introduced in 2019 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide more context to test cricket, which was being said to be “dying.”

Test cricket, though known for its grinding nature and being hailed as the “best format,” was sometimes seen as boring as there were no direct consequences to losing a game or a series.

Designed to crown the best test team in the world, the format now assigns a heavy price tag to every game, including dead rubbers. With points awarded for victories and draws, every game matters more. By increasing the intensity of competition between the teams, the World Test Championship has delivered some nail-biting contests over the last five years.

Batting collapses have been a part of the longstanding test history and World Test Championship has not been an exception. Since its inception, WTC has delivered several dramatic batting collapses with teams crumbling against top-class bowling attacks under testing conditions.

On that note let’s take a look at the five lowest totals registered in the ICC World Test Championship history.

Five lowest totals in ICC World Test Championship history:

5. New Zealand – 62 vs India, 2021, Wankhede

In the second test of New Zealand’s tour of India 2021, the Indian spinners ran through the Kiwi batting lineup in their first innings at Wankhede, bowling them out for 62.

In a historic test that saw Ajaz Patel becoming the first New Zealand bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings, India posted 325 in their first innings. On a pitch that was helping the spinners, going past the Indian first innings score was always going to be challenging for the Kiwis, but not many expected such a collapse from the visitors.

Ravichandran Ashwin was the star of India’s bowling show as he dismantled New Zealand’s batting lineup by picking four wickets for just eight runs. The Kiwis lost the game by 372 runs and Mayank Agarwal was named the Player of the Match for his excellent 150 and 62 runs in the first and second innings respectively.

4. South Africa – 55 vs India, 2024, Cape Town

The second test of India’s tour of South Africa in 2024 was historic for many reasons. The game stands as the shortest completed test match in the history of cricket, lasting just 107 overs (642 balls).

South Africa, having won the toss and elected to bat first, were bundled out for just 55 runs. The Indian pace attack, led by Mohammed Siraj, was relentless as they picked up all 10 wickets inside 24 overs. Siraj was India’s brightest star picking up six wickets for just 15 runs.

The game saw India posting 153 in their first innings, to which South Africa replied with 176 in their second innings. India chased down the target of 80 runs with ease, winning the game on only the second day. Siraj was named Player of the Match for his first innings heroics.

3. Bangladesh – 53 vs South Africa, 2022, Durban

While chasing the target of 274 against South Africa in Durban, Bangladesh were blown away in the first test of the two-match series.

The Bangladesh batting collapse saw them getting outclassed by South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. The Bangla Tigers started the game in a bright manner by restricting South Africa to 350 and then replying with 298.

The expectations from Bangladesh in the chase were high as everyone expected the Asian team to put up a good fight on a pitch that was helping the spinners.

In the chase, though, Bangladesh never quite got going as Keshav Maharaj ran through their batting order picking up seven wickets for just 32 runs. He was named Player of the Match for his terrific performance.

2. India – 46 vs New Zealand, 2024, Bengaluru

The most recent addition to this list is India’s collapse against New Zealand in Bengaluru test in 2024. Winning the toss and batting first on a moist Bengaluru pitch under overcast conditions, the Indian batting lineup was torn apart by the Kiwi pace attack.

New Zealand pacers, Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, picked all 10 Indian wickets with Henry registering the fourth fifer of his career. Henry was well supported by O’Rourke, who chipped in with four wickets.

1. India – 36 vs Australia, 2020, Adelaide

The lowest total in the ICC World Test Championship history is India’s 36 against Australia in Adelaide in 2020.

The Indian team were well in control of the test match at the mid point, having gained a small lead in the first innings. However, India’s second innings saw Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins dismantling their batting lineup with acute seam and swing movement.

Showcasing immense discipline with line and length, the duo picked up nine Indian wickets combined to bowl India out for only 36 runs. Australia won the test in Adelaide by eight wickets and Tim Paine was named Player of the match for his 73 runs in the first innings and seven catches in the game.

(All stats updated till 18th October, 2024)

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