4 Lowest Totals India Failed to Chase Down in Test Cricket

India suffered a heartbreaking loss in 1st Test against England by 31 runs to surrender a 0-1 lead in the five-match Test series. Initially, India was in a good position to win the match before a few mistakes saw them surrendering to hosts.

However, in the end, it was England who held their nerves and clinched a nail-biting thriller on day four in Edgbaston. It was one of the best Test matches of the recent times. India gave a valiant fight and should be proud of their performance.

However, their batsmen barring a certain Virat Kohli were just horrendous. Some of the shots which brought about their dismissal weren’t acceptable at all.

It is not the first time that India had failed to chase down chase totals which have been within their grasp. Here is a list of four low totals which India have been unable to chase down in Test cricket.

208 vs India vs South Africa in Cape Town 2018

It was one of those heartbreaking recent losses for India. They have made a habit of making a meal of low targets in Test cricket. The match was set up quite brilliantly in the 2^nd innings.

South Africa made 286 in the 1^st innings. India was done and dusted at one stage in their 1^st essay. However, it was a great knock from the blade of Hardik Pandya which got India back into the game.The visiting bowlers were magnificent in the 2^nd innings and bowled the hosts out for just 130 runs. It gave India a realistic chance of winning the Test and taking a lead in the series.

However, the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Vernon Philander bagged six wickets, as India were bowled out for just 135 runs.

193 vs India vs England in Edgbaston 2018

It was a match which swayed from one side to the another during a course of three and a half days. England was cruising at one stage in the 1^st innings.

Then came the most talked run-out of Joe Root. From there on, the Indian team continued their good work, as captain Virat Kohli smashed a brilliant knock of 149 in the first innings which kept them in the game.

In the second innings, when the visitors were all over the hosts, and had reduced them to 86/7, it was a solid knock of 62 runs from Sam Curran which got England back into the match. Eventually, the visitors were bowled out for 162 despite a valiant effort from Virat Kohli in the end.

176 vs India vs Sri Lanka in Galle 2015

India had dominated the major part of the game. They posted 375 in the 1^st innings courtesy great knocks from the blade of Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli.

Both scored centuries, as India secured a huge lead of 192 runs and the match seemed all India from there. However, it was a tremendous counter-attacking inning from Dinesh Chandimal which helped Sri Lanka claw their way back into the game.

He smashed a sensational 162 off 169 deliveries which studded with 19 fours and four sixes. It gave Sri Lanka a chance to challenge India in the game.

On the final day, it was a special piece of spin bowling by Rangana Herath which bowled them to a 63-run victory. He bagged seven wickets for just 48 runs to derail India’s progress.

120 India vs Windies at Bridgetown in 1997

India had a great chance of winning a Test in the Caribbean back in 1997. Back then, it was quite rare India winning away from home.

Hence they always craved for a victory in the overseas conditions. The Indian team had performed quite brilliantly and set the match up for a famous win. India had taken an important lead of 21 runs courtesy a magnificent knock of 92 from Sachin Tendulkar in the 2^nd essay.

The visiting bowlers were quite brilliant in the 2^nd innings. They skittled out the hosts for just 140 runs. Abey Kuruvilla was the pick of the Indian bowlers with a five-wicket haul. Sachin Tendulkar-led side needed to chase 120 to win. However, they faltered big time and lost all the wickets for 81 runs. Eventually, the match was won by the hosts by 38 runs.