India came mighty close to succumbing to the lowest ever total recorded in ODI history as they slipped to 29-7 against Sri Lanka in the first game of the three-match series at Dharamshala.
Ultimately a fine fighting half-century from MS Dhoni helped the hosts prevent an utter humiliation as India ended up with 112 runs after being put into bat by Sri Lanka skipper Thisara Perera.
Here, we look at the lowest totals registered by India in their ODI history after batting first.
105
AGAINST BANGLADESH, MIRPUR 2014
This innings came during India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2014 as the visitors rested their big guns. Suresh Raina led the revamped Indian side in the series and his innings of 27 in the second ODI in Mirpur turned out to be more vital than he would have thought.
India were all-out for just 105 as Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed picked up a five-wicket haul. Raina’s 27 would remain India’s top score. Amazingly though, the hosts ended up on the losing side as they were shot out for just 58 runs after an astonishing spell by Stuart Binny who picked up six wickets in five overs giving away only four runs.
This is the only time India have successfully defended a total less than the 112 they put up on Sunday.
Binny’s destructive spell helped India defend the low total.
103
AGAINST SRI LANKA, DAMBULLA 2010
This score came in a tri-series involving Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand in August, 2010. Led by MS Dhoni, India were bundled out for just 103 runs after electing to bat first at Dambulla.
Sri Lanka’s current ODI skipper Thisara Perera was the wrecker-in-chief as he tore through the Indian top order. The all-rounder picked five wickets giving away just 28 runs in a fiery spell to as Dhoni’s men were condemned to an eight-wicket defeat. Yuvraj Singh top-scored for India with 38.
Perera tore through the Indian top-order with a five-wicket haul.
100
AGAINST AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY 2000
This total came in another tri-nations series involving Australia, India and Pakistan. In a match against the hosts at Sydney, India skipper Sachin Tendulkar won the toss and elected to bat first. He would use that decision as legendary Aussie pacer Glenn McGrath put on an exhibition of swing and seam bowling.
McGrath picked up four wickets in 10 overs, giving away only eight runs in the process along with four maiden overs. Only Rahul Dravid crossed the 20-run mark for India with 22 runs as the visitors were handed a five-wicket defeat.
Sachin Tendulkar-led India were bundled out for exactly 100 runs.
79
AGAINST PAKISTAN, SIALKOT 1978
India and Pakistan had not played a cricket match against each other for a 17-year-old period starting from 1961 before the historic series in the latter’s backyard in 1978. Led by spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi, India were bundled out for just 79 runs in the second ODI at Sialkot.
Only one Indian batsman crossed double figures with Mohinder Amarnath remaining unbeaten with a 34-run knock as the likes of Hasan Jamil, Sikandar Bakht and Saleem Altaf ran through the visitors’ batting line-up. The hosts would then run away with the match, galloping to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.
Mohinder Amarnath was the lone Indian batsman to put up a fight.
63
AGAINST AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY 1981
Sydney features once again in the list for the Indians and this embarrassing total came during the Benson and Hedges World Series Cup down under. Led by the iconic Sunil Gavaskar, India were on the receiving end of a fine bowling effort from the hosts in the ninth match of the tournament.
Greg Chappell, who would later go on to coach India, was the man-of-the-match as he finished with figures of 5-15. Gundappa Vishwanath was the highest scorer for the visitors with a 23-run knock as Australia cantered to a nine-wicket victory.
Greg Chappell’s inspired bowling performance blew away India.
