While India boasts a formidable record in T20I cricket, even the best teams experience lean patches. There have been several instances when the strong batting lineup of India have faltered uncharacteristically and registered extremely low scores with their opponents getting to fairly comfortable victories.
These low scores serve as valuable reminders of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. While India has consistently been a dominant force in the format, these instances highlight the importance of adaptability, discipline, and a proactive approach. These experiences can serve as learning opportunities for the team, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and strive for consistent excellence in the future.
These low scores, while disappointing, provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by even the most successful teams. By analyzing these performances and addressing the underlying issues, the Indian team can continue to improve and strive for consistent success in the exciting world of T20 cricket.
Here’s a look at 5 of their lowest scores in the shortest format:
1. 74 all out
Opponent – Australia
Date – 1 February 2008
Venue – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
This infamous score remains the lowest in India’s T20I history. Facing a potent Australian attack, the Indian batsmen were completely outclassed. The bowlers exploited the conditions perfectly, and the Indian batting lineup crumbled under immense pressure on foreign soil.
Only Irfan Pathan was able to get into the double-digits for the Indians who were abysmal with the bat and were undone by a strong Australian attack led by Nathan Bracken who scalped 3 wickets.
This match serves as a stark reminder that even the strongest teams can experience humbling defeats.
2. 79 all out
Opponent – New Zeland
Date – 15 March 2016
Venue – VCA Stadium, Nagpur
The Nagpur pitch played a significant role in this disastrous performance. The Indian batsmen struggled to cope with the unpredictable bounce and turn, leading to a series of early dismissals. This match highlighted the importance of adapting to challenging conditions and the vulnerability of even the most accomplished batting lineups.
It was the first match of India of the home T20 WC in 2016 and chasing a modest 127, the Indians fell in the web spun around them by Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi who left the home team bamboozled.
3. 81/8 in 20 overs
Opponent – Sri Lanka
Date – 29 July 2021
Venue – RPS, Colombo
In another case of Indian batters failing to tackle spin in the shortest format of the game, Indian batters struggled against their neighbours when they visited the island-nation Sri Lanka. The young Indian batting unit captained by Shikhar Dhawan were found incompetent against the spin of Sri Lanka.
This innings was characterized by a complete lack of intent and a surprising lack of application. The Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Hasaranga exploited the Indian batsmen’s lack of application on a slow and sluggish surface and bowled with discipline and aggression.
Kuldeep Yadav top-scored with an unbeaten 23 and the second-best contribution was made by Bhuvneshwar Kumar who scored 16 as the specialist batters failed miserably and India could only muster 81 in their entire quota of 20 overs.
4. 92 all out
Opponent – South Africa
Date – 5 October 2015
Venue – Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
On a slow and sluggish surface in Cuttack, the South African bowlers proved too strong for the Indian batsmen on this occasion. The Proteas bowlers exploited the conditions effectively as the Indian batsmen struggled to find any rhythm or momentum, leading to a series of early dismissals and a disappointing total.
Wickets kept falling throughout the innings with Albie Morkel proving to be the best performer with the ball registering figures of 3/12 and India eventually was bundled out for 92.
5. 101 all out
Opponent – Sri Lanka
Date – 9 February 2016
Venue – MCA Stadium, Pune
Another low score against Sri Lanka, this innings highlighted the challenges faced by the Indian batsmen against quality seam bowling. On an unusually green wicket at the MCA, India were caught on the heels batting first as the Sri Lankan pacers hit the right areas to cause trouble.
8 wickets fell to seam, highest for any T20s against India at that point, and India were only able to breach the 100-run mark due to a rearguard action by Ravichandran Ashwin late in the innings who top-scored with an unbeaten 31.
