Top 5 Lowest Totals in ICC World Test Championship History

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Big totals and offensive play are the norm in this new era of Test cricket. There have been some matches where the entire batting line-up could not last even for a single session. The ICC World Test Championship has not only given brilliant centuries and record-breaking innings but also some lowest totals which were quite shocking for the fans. Here we are talking about those five smallest team innings which have become the most memorable batting collapses in the history of WTC.

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1. India – 36 all-out vs Australia, 2020 (Adelaide)

• Runs 36 | Overs 21.2 | Run Rate 1.68 | Innings 3rd | Venue Adelaide | Result Lost

In the early phase of the WTC itself, India had to face a situation which no one had even imagined. During the day-night Test in Adelaide, India’s batting was restricted to just 36 runs. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins bowled such destructively that from the top-order to the tail-end no one showed any resistance. This was not only India’s smallest total but also became the lowest score in the history of ICC World Test Championship.

2. Sri Lanka – 42 all-out vs South Africa, 2024 (Durban)

• Runs 42 | Overs 13.5 | Run Rate 3.03 | Innings 2nd | Venue Durban | Result Lost

In the 2024 Durban Test, Sri Lanka’s batting was just a name. Being all-out for 42 runs in 13.5 overs is a nightmare for any team. South Africa’s pacers confused and trapped every batsman, and this innings became the fastest collapsing innings of the WTC. This collapse perfectly defines the unpredictable nature of modern Test cricket.

3. India – 46 all-out vs New Zealand, 2024 (Bengaluru)

• Runs 46 | Overs 31.2 | Run Rate 1.46 | Innings 1st | Venue Bengaluru | Result Lost

For the second time in just one year, I got to witness India’s batting collapse, this time in my home town Bengaluru. New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack broke the Indian line-up and the entire team was able to score just 46 runs. This innings was a strong reminder that home advantage is also sometimes not enough.

4. Bangladesh – 53 all-out vs South Africa, 2022 (Durban)

• Runs 53 | Overs 19.0 | Run Rate 2.78 | Innings 4th | Venue Durban | Result Lost

For Bangladesh, the Durban Test of 2022 is a memory that is hard to forget. The pressure of the 4th innings, the South African pace attack and the unpredictable bounce of the pitch together finished off Bangladesh’s entire batting for just 53. This innings showed that when it comes to chasing runs, mental strength is the biggest thing.

5. South Africa – 55 all-out vs India, 2024 (Cape Town)

• Runs 55 | Overs 23.2 | Run Rate 2.35 | Innings 1st | Venue Cape Town | Result Lost

When South Africa started the first innings in Cape Town, no one had thought that they would get out for just 55 runs. Indian pacers made maximum use of the new ball and shocked the hosts. This innings tells that no team is safe in the ICC WTC competition, only a good session can turn the game around.

While the ICC World Test Championship started a new era, some innings also created new records of batting collapses. These five lowest team totals showed that as much as scoring runs is important, equal importance is given to technique and temperament. Every fan will remember these matches, not just for the numbers but also for those emotional moments when the hidden drama on the cricket ground came before everyone. The real test of Test cricket is when too much pressure from the pitch breaks a person.

ALSO READ: Top 5 Highest Totals in ICC World Test Championship History

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