Top 5 lowest targets defended by India in test cricket

India has never defended a target below 100 in Test cricket.

Team India has been one of the top sides in Test cricket due to the success they have had in this format. They have had some of the craziest wins in the game's longest format.

Some victories have come by a huge margin or even by 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 proven their point by defending some very low totals. In this article, we will talk about the five lowest totals for India, which they successfully defended in test cricket.

List of top five goals defended by India in Test cricket

5. 188 v New Zealand, Brabourne, 1969

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

But Indian spin duo Erapalli Prasanna (4/74) and Bishan Singh Bedi (6/42) together bowled 63 overs and took ten wickets to dismiss New Zealand for 127 in 69.5 overs and won the match 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 the fourth innings of a Test, was against Australia in Bengaluru in 2017. This was the second match 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, taking a six-wicket haul. Ashwin took 6/41 and Australia were bowled out for just 112 runs in 35.4 overs. India eventually won that match by 75 runs.

3. 170 vs. South Africa, Ahmedabad, 1996

India has 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 runs 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 backed him with 3/34. South Africa were all out for 105 runs in 38.5 overs and lost the match by 64 runs.

2. 143 versus Australia, Melbourne, 1981

The first time 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, suffered a terrible slump. They were all bowled 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 backed him to take India to a famous victory.

1. 107 versus Australia, Wankhede, 2004

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

India fought their way to 205 runs in the second innings, setting Australia a target of just 107 runs. Australia was a big favorite to win.

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

(All statistics updated until October 19, 2024)

Follow Khel Now Cricket for more updates Facebook, Tweet, Instagram, YouTube; download the Khel now Android app or IOS app and join our community WhatsApp & Telegram.