Five Most Embarrassing Defeats for India in ODIs

Embarrassing defeats are quite normal for any cricketing team and considering the fact that India is one of the older sides in the game, they have had their share of those in fifty-overs cricket.

In the early years of ODI cricket, India struggled to adapt the game. However, the 1983 World Cup win changed all that and gradually they became a force.

Meanwhile, there have been plenty of embarrassing defeats over the years. Furthermore, some of them will forever be remembered as dark days in the history of Indian cricket. Despite being a top-ODI side for the last 15 years, there are some games that team would like to forget.

Here is a look at some of the most forgettable games from India’s ODI cricket history:

202 run defeat against England at Lord’s, 1975

India’s 1st game of the inaugural event at Lord’s against England will forever be one of the most shambolic performances from the team in ODI cricket. England batted first and made a barely believable 334/7 in 60 overs. Dennis Amiss hammered a brutal 137 (147 balls, 18 fours) while Keith Fletcher made 68 as well.

In their chase, India seemed to have surrendered the game from the outset and former great Sunil Gavaskar’s innings is still regarded as one of the worst innings ever played in ODI cricket.

He batted from start to finish, faced 174 balls and scored 36 runs by the time India’s innings ended at 136 for 3 in 60 overs. It was a farcical performance and no doubt one of the most embarrassing.

245 run loss to Sri Lanka at Sharjah, 2000

Back in 2000, a young Indian team improved massively under Sourav Ganguly, following the match-fixing saga. However, they were unlucky to end up as the losing finalists in the ICC Knockout held in Kenya.

They were the favorites when they came up against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in a tri-series that followed the ICC Knockout. However, Sri Lanka dominated India in the two league games leading up to the final and had turned the tables on the young team.

Sri Lanka notched up 299 in 50 overs, as their captain Sanath Jayasuriya smacked 189 (161 balls, 21 fours, 4 sixes). It was a huge task but with an opening combination of Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, India were not out of the game.

The game unfolded quickly enough as Chaminda Vaas removed both the openers by the 5th over, with the scoreboard reading 10 for 2 and from then on it was a procession. Vaas’ five-wicket haul rattled India’s batting as they were all out for 54.

180 run loss to Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy Final at Oval, 2017

India went into the final as the firm favourites and after choosing to bowl first but completely fluffed their lines. Jasprit Bumrah’s no ball when he had dismissed opener Fakhar Zaman proved costly as the left-hander then went on to score a match-defining 114 (106 balls, 12 fours, 3 sixes). Everyone was among the runs as Pakistan amassed an imposing 338 for 4.

Still, India had a batting line-up that could threaten to overhaul that score. However, Mohammad Amir’s bowled an inspired spell and picked up the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India got all out at 158 and slumped to a 180 run loss.

It will remain in the history books as one of the most embarrassing defeats suffered by the country in ODI cricket.

Loss by default to Sri Lanka in World Cup semi-final at Kolkata, 1996

This game remains an embarrassing event for Indian cricket for two reasons. Firstly, India’s incredible collapse on a wearing pitch chasing 252 and secondly, the crowd trouble at Eden Gardens made it worse.

India decided to bowl first, however, the opposition got a dream start. Openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana were back in the hut as the Lanka’s were reeling at 1 run. However, Aravinda de Silva launched a carnage and Sri Lanka eventually made 251.

India lost Navjot Sidhu but Sachin Tendulkar looked in brilliant touch. The men in blues were looking good but Tendulkar’s stumping led to the collapse. From 98 for 1, India slumped to 120 for 8 as the pitch broke up and the spinners became unplayable.

Moreover, crowd trouble meant that ICC called off the game and India ended up a World Cup semi-final at home.

5 wicket loss to Bangladesh in World Cup league game at Port of Spain, 2007

It is arguably the most embarrassing defeat in India’s ODI history. Meanwhile, India had been in fine form going into the 2007 World Cup and was a firm contender. However, in their first game against minnows Bangladesh, the team faltered badly.

Opting to bat first, India’s star-studded batting line-up failed miserably. Mashrafe Mortaza picked up 4 wickets, while Abdur Razzaq and Mohammad Rafique picked up 3 wickets each. As a result, India’s innings folded for 191 with 3 balls to spare.

In their chase, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal launched an attack on the Indian bowlers from the outset. As a result, all hopes of India making a comeback washed away.

In the 2007 World Cup, each group had 4 teams and hence this loss damaged the team’s chances severely. Eventually, India failed to cross the group stages after their loss against Sri Lanka. The loss against Bangladesh remains an embarrassing one to this day.

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