Top 5 biggest defeats by runs for India in Tests ft. IND vs SA 2025 in Guwahati

Team India registered their biggest Test loss in the second Test to South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, November 26. With that, they were also whitewashed 2-0 by the reigning World Test Champions, having lost the opening match by 30 runs in Kolkata, where they failed to chase down 124.

The Rishabh Pant-led side was no match for the Proteas in the second Test, getting bundled out for 201 and 140 in the two innings, respectively. Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and Ravindra Jadeja (54) scored two half-centuries in the first and second innings, respectively, while other batters struggled.

Simon Harmer was the wrecker-in-chief with 17 wickets, including a six-fer in the second essay. Like the series opener, Keshav Maharaj took the last two wickets as the visitors once again spun a web for India in the second innings.

Batting first, the Proteas posted 489 before taking a 288-run first innings lead. The Temba Bavuma-led side then declared their second innings for 260/5, setting up a mammoth 459-run target for the home team.

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In this article, we take a look at the five biggest Test defeats for India (by runs) in Tests.

Simon Harmer (extreme right) bagged 17 wickets in the two-match series, including nine in the second Test. [Getty Images]

1. Lost by 408 runs against South Africa (Guwahati)

As mentioned above, India failed to last four sessions. They succumbed for 140 in 63.5 overs while going for a draw in a 459-run chase. It was the ninth biggest defeat by any team in the 21st century. Among Asian teams, this was the fourth-worst defeat after Afghanistan (546 vs Bangladesh), Pakistan (491 vs Australia), Bangladesh (465 vs Sri Lanka), and Sri Lanka (423 vs New Zealand).

2. 342-run loss vs Australia in 2004 (Nagpur)

India’s second-biggest defeat came against Australia in 2004. The home team was bundled out for 200 after being asked to chase down a mammoth target of 543 runs, where the top five out of six managed single-digit scores. Virender Sehwag top-scored with 58 (94).

Batting first, the Aussies posted 398 in their first innings, thanks to Damien Martyn (114), Michael Clarke (91), and Darren Lehmann (70). In response, Rahul Dravid and Co. surrendered for 185 in their first innings. Mohammad Kaif (55) was the only batter with a half-century. Australia then declared for 329/5 in their second innings. Simon Katick, Damien Martyn, and Michael Clarke chipped in with 99 (157), 97 (184), and 73 (95), respectively.

3. Lost to Pakistan by 341 runs in 2006 (Karachi)

In yet another embarrassing show under Rahul Dravid, India lost to Pakistan by 341 runs in 2006. Asked to chase an impossible total of 607, the tourists succumbed for 265 in their innings, where Yuvraj Singh top-scored with 122 (144).

Batting first, Pakistan posted 245 in their first innings, thanks to a century from Kamran Akmal (113). In response, India were bowled out for 238 in their first innings with none of the batters scoring a half-century.

Pakistan declared their second innings for 599/7. Faisal Iqbal top-scored with 139, while Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Yusuf chipped in with scores of 90 and 97, respectively. Openers Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, skipper Younis Khan, and Shahid Afridi chipped in with half-centuries.

4. 337-run loss to Australia in 2007 (Melbourne)

India were never the favorites to win in Australia until they scripted history in 2018-19 and 2020-21. In 2007, the tourists suffered a 337-run loss to the Aussies in Melbourne. Chasing 499, the Anil Kumble-led side surrendered for 161. Rahul Dravid (16), VVS Laxman (42), and Sourav Ganguly (40) faced 114, 112, and 78 deliveries, respectively.

Batting first, the hosts put up 343 in their first innings, with openers Matthew Hayden and Phil Jacques scoring 124 and 66, respectively. The Aussies then bowled out India for 196 in their first innings. Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 62. In the second innings, Australia declared for 351/7. Michael Clarke and Phil Jacques chipped in with 73 and 51, respectively.

5. Lost to Australia by 333 runs (Pune)

In yet another loss to Australia, India were bundled out for 107 while chasing 441 in 2017. Cheteshwar Pujara faced the most deliveries (58) for his 31.

Batting first, Australia posted 260 in their first essay. India then got bundled out for 105 to hand away a 155-run first innings lead. KL Rahul produced a fighting display with the bat, scoring 64 off 97 deliveries. In the second innings, Australia scored 285, thanks to a century from skipper Steve Smith (109).