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, 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 WTC format now assigns a heavy price tag to every game, including dead rubbers. With points awarded for victories and draws, every game matters more now. By increasing the intensity of competition between the teams, the ICC WTC has delivered some nail-biting contests.

Batting collapses have been a part of the longstanding test history and the ICC WTC 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. 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.

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

India suffered a shocking collapse for only 46 runs against New Zealand in Bengaluru 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.

The New Zealand pacers – Tim Southee, 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. The Kiwis eventually won the test by eight wickets.

3. Sri Lanka – 42 vs South Africa, 2024, Durban

In the first test of Sri Lanka’s 2024 tour of South Africa, they were bundled for only 42 runs in their first innings in Durban.

Sri Lanka did well to restrict South Africa to 191 in their first innings but their batsmen couldn’t back up the bowlers’ efforts. Marco Jansen dismantled the Lankan batting line-up, taking seven wickets in only 6.3 overs. Rabada and Coetzee took the other three wickets as Sri Lanka slumped to their lowest total in test history.

2. India – 36 vs Australia, 2020, Adelaide

The lowest total in the ICC World Test Championship history was India’s 36 against Australia in Adelaide in 2020, until the West Indies broke the unwanted record in 2025.

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 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 (one batsman got injured during this barrage and retired hurt).

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.

1. West Indies – 27 vs Australia, 2025, Kingston

The lowest team total in ICC World Test Championship history belongs to the West Indies, who were bowled out for just 27 runs against Australia in Kingston in 2025.

During the third home test against Australia in 2025, the West Indies achieved this unwanted feat. After losing the toss and bowling first in the Day/Night test, the hosts conceded 225 runs in the first innings before getting bowled out for 121. In the second innings, the Caribbean side then bowled out the visitors for 143 runs, setting themselves a target of 204 runs.

However, visiting bowler Mitchell Starc ran through the hosts with the fastest test five-wicket haul (by balls), claiming 6/9 in the innings. Later, Scott Boland picked a hat-trick to dismiss the hosts for a mere total of 27 runs and winning the game by 176 runs.

27 by the West Indies is also the second-lowest team total in test cricket history and lowest by the West Indies.

(All stats updated till 15th July, 2025)

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