Lowest Totals Defended At Narendra Modi Stadium: Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is the world’s biggest cricket stadium and an elite cricket venue globally. This cricket ground has hosted many of the biggest cricket tournaments since it was first built at Motera such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy.
After its renovation in 2020, the ground has earned itself a reputation as an excellent ground for high scoring, particularly in limited-overs cricket. Traditionally, the surface used to favor spin bowlers, enabling teams to defend lower scores.
The following is a detailed overview of the Lowest Totals defended at the Narendra Modi Stadium in different cricket formats.
Lowest Totals Defended at Narendra Modi Stadium in T20 Internationals
Recently, it has become tough to defend totals at the Ahmedabad venue. This is because of the batting-friendly conditions, which make it easier to chase down competitive totals. Interestingly, the lowest total defended at Narendra Modi Stadium in T20Is is 185.
T20I Records: Lowest Totals Defended
| Team | Score | Opposition | Date |
| India | 185/8 | England | 18 Mar 2021 |
| South Africa | 187/7 | India | 22 Feb 2026 |
| India | 192/5 | Pakistan | 28 Dec 2012 |
| India | 193/6 | Netherlands | 18 Feb 2026 |
| South Africa | 213/4 | Canada | 9 Feb 2026 |
| India | 224/2 | England | 20 Mar 2021 |
| India | 231/5 | South Africa | 19 Dec 2025 |
| India | 234/4 | New Zealand | 1 Feb 2023 |
Such figures also indicate the fact that the team needs totals close to 200 to feel secure while defending at this ground.
Lowest Totals Defended at Narendra Modi Stadium in IPL
The trend in the Indian Premier League is a bit different. Though it is a high-scoring ground, there have been instances where the totals have been defended successfully, though the totals were less than 170.
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IPL Records: Lowest Totals Defended
| Team | Score | Opposition | Date |
| Delhi Capitals | 130/8 | Gujarat Titans | 2 May 2023 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 134/9 | Rajasthan Royals | 8 May 2014 |
| Gujarat Titans | 168/6 | Mumbai Indians | 24 Mar 2024 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 168/7 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 20 Mar 2010 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 170/6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 5 May 2014 |
Among these, the match where Delhi Capitals defended 130 runs against Gujarat Titans in 2023 is perhaps the most astonishing at this venue.
Lowest Totals Defended at Narendra Modi Stadium in ODI
In One Day Internationals, the track at Ahmedabad has always been a conducive surface for chasing teams. In the recently concluded 2023 Cricket World Cup, chasing has been a cakewalk for the teams at this venue. The lowest defended totals at Narendra Modi Stadium in the modern era is 237 runs.
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ODI Records: Lowest Totals Defended
| Team | Score | Opposition | Date |
| India | 193 | Australia | 5 Oct 1986 |
| West Indies | 196 | India | 7 Jan 1988 |
| West Indies | 202/7 | India | 16 Nov 1993 |
| South Africa | 219/9 | Sri Lanka | 24 Oct 2006 |
| India | 227/8 | Sri Lanka | 22 Oct 1989 |
| India | 237/9 | West Indies | 9 Feb 2022 |
The results further endorse the idea that teams would require scores well over 250 to feel comfortable while defending in Ahmedabad.
Lowest Totals Defended at Narendra Modi Stadium in Tests
Defending totals in Test matches at the stadium has been a rarity in the long history of the ground. Successful defences of totals have been just three in the history of the ground. Interestingly, no team has defended a total in the last two decades, which further proves the difficulties faced by bowlers in the stadium in the longest format of the game.
Test Records: Lowest Totals Defended
| Team | Score | Opposition | Date |
| India | 190 | South Africa | 20 Nov 1996 |
| West Indies | 201 | India | 12 Nov 1983 |
| India | 316/9d | Sri Lanka | 18 Dec 2005 |
Why Defending Scores in Ahmedabad Is Difficult
There are a number of reasons why defending totals is difficult at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad:
The flat batting tracks after the renovation of the stadium
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The short boundaries in some parts of the stadium
The dew factor in night games, which makes it difficult to bowl
The new style of batting
This is why chasing a score is preferred over setting a target in a limited-overs game.
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