5 Lowest Scores By India In ODIs

India vs New Zealand in ODI match in 2010 (X.com)India vs New Zealand in ODI match in 2010 (X.com)

The Indian cricket team has always been a dominant force in the One-Day Internationals (ODI) format.  However, every coin has two sides, and with notable highs, India has witnessed a few lows in the format as well.

Like any cricketing powerhouse in the world, there have been instances where the Indian cricket team has faltered and posted low scores, with some more humiliating than others. 

On that note, let's revisit the five lowest ODI scores the Indian cricket team recorded in the history of the limited overs format.

5. 2010 - 88 vs NZ

88 - IND vs NZ in 2010 (X.com)88 - IND vs NZ in 2010 (X.com)

On August 10, 2010, during the tri-series held in Sri Lanka, India were bowled out for 88 runs against New Zealand in Dambulla. Batting first, New Zealand posted a daunting total of 288 runs after captain Ross Taylor (95) and Scott Syris (89) stacked a 190-run partnership. 

Meanwhile, Virender Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik had a decent opening partnership of 39 runs before wickets kept tumbling like a pack of cards. Daryl Tuffey took 3 wickets, whereas Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram picked two wickets each to bundle the men in blue on just 88 runs to seal a 200-run victory.

4. 1978 - 79 vs Pakistan

79 - IND vs PAK in 1978 (X.com)79 - IND vs PAK in 1978 (X.com)

In one of the earliest ODI matches between India and Pakistan, held in 1978 in Sialkot, India recorded their fourth-lowest ODI score. Batting first, India managed to score only 79 runs, with none of the batters from the power pack making significant contributions. 

Pakistan's bowling attack, led by Hasan Jamil and Sikander Bakht, decimated the Indian batting line-up. Jamil and Bakht shared 7 wickets between them. Pakistan chased down the target in just 16.5 overs to fetch a dominating and comfortable 8-wicket victory. 

3. 1986 - 78 vs Sri Lanka

78 - IND vs SL in 1986 (X.com)78 - IND vs SL in 1986 (X.com)

In another abysmal performance, India was bowled out for 78 runs against Sri Lanka in an ODI match on December 25, 1986. Sri Lanka posted a decent total of 195 runs on board batting first. 

However, India faced a devastating spell from Sri Lankan spinner Arjuna Ranatunga, who took 4 wickets for 14 runs in just 6 overs. The Indian batting line-up collapsed after two early wickets of Sunil Gavaskar and Raman Lamba. After a series of single digit scores, India were bundled for 78 runs in 24.1 overs.

2. 1981 - 63 vs Australia

IND vs AUS in 1981 (X.com)IND vs AUS in 1981 (X.com)

Back in the day when the ODI format was not that prominent, the Indian team led by Sunil Gavaskar succumbed to 63 runs total in the first inning against the mighty Australia. In the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup, India was asked to bat first before Greg Chappell wreaked havoc with a five-wicket haul while leaking just 15 runs in a 9.5-over spell. 

The Indian team was dismissed for just 63 runs in 25.5 overs. Gundappa Viswanath top-scored with 23 runs, with Roger Binny being the only one with a double-digit score. Australia chased down the total inside 21 overs at the loss of one wicket scalped by legend Kapil Dev.

1. 2000 - 54 vs Sri Lanka

IND vs SL in 2000 (X.com)IND vs SL in 2000 (X.com)

The record for the lowest ODI score was set by India in the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy final held in Sharjah on October 29, 2000. Chasing a modest target of 300 set by Sri Lanka, India's batting line-up crumbled against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack led by Chaminda Vaas. 

The men in blue were bundled out for a nominal total of 54 runs in just 26.3 overs. Vaas claimed 5 wickets for 14 runs, marking one of India's darkest days in ODI cricket. In a line-up that featured the legends of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, only Robin Singh managed to get past a double-digit score.