The India vs England Test rivalry, dating back to 1932, is rich with iconic moments—but few are as dramatic as sudden batting collapses. Triggered by pace, spin, or pressure, these meltdowns have flipped matches in a single session, leaving fans shocked and scorecards in ruins.
Let’s dive into the Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests, where both teams have crumbled under fire, changing the course of cricketing history.
Let`s take a look at the Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests:
5. India 94 All Out – The Oval, 2011
Among the Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests, the 2011 Oval Test stands out as a low point for India. Already trailing 0-3 in the series, India crumbled for just 94 in their first innings after England posted a mammoth 591/6 declared.
What Triggered the Collapse?
England’s relentless pace trio—Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Tim Bresnan—capitalized on India’s mental and physical fatigue. Key batters like Gambhir, Dravid, and Tendulkar fell cheaply. Though Rahul Dravid fought back with an unbeaten 146 in the second innings, the damage had been done and the match—and series—was lost.
Stats Table:
| India 1st Innings | Score | Overs Faced | Top Scorer | Wicket Takers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Innings | 94 | 36.5 | Tendulkar (23) | Broad (3), Anderson (2) |
4. India 42 All Out – Lord’s, 1974
Among the Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests, India’s nightmare at Lord’s in 1974 remains the most infamous. Chasing 429, India were skittled out for just 42—their lowest Test score in history.
What Triggered the Collapse?
England’s Chris Old and Geoff Arnold made full use of overcast conditions, swinging the ball viciously with unerring accuracy. None of India’s batters reached double figures, barring Eknath Solkar, who managed 18. With five ducks in the lineup, it was a collapse that stunned the cricketing world.
Stats Table:
| India 2nd Innings | Score | Top Scorer | Ducks | Wicket Takers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Innings | 42 | Solkar (18) | 5 | Old (5), Arnold (4) |
3. England 101 All Out – Chennai, 2021
Featured in the Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests, England’s meltdown in the second Test of the 2021 series at Chepauk was a spin-induced disaster. After a first-innings total of just 134, they collapsed again in the second, bundled out for 164—including a stretch where they lost 6 wickets for just 31 runs.
What Triggered the Collapse?
The Chennai pitch began to turn sharply, and India’s spin duo struck gold. Axar Patel’s pinpoint accuracy and Ravichandran Ashwin’s deceptive variations tore through the lineup. Key wickets of Moeen Ali and Joe Root fell rapidly, and the tail offered little resistance.
Stats Table:
| England 2nd Innings | Score | Overs Faced | Top Scorer | Wicket Takers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Innings | 164 | 54.2 | Moeen (43) | Axar (5), Ashwin (3) |
2. England 102 All Out – Mumbai, 1981
Among the Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests, England’s dramatic downfall at Wankhede stands as a classic case of spin-induced panic. Chasing a modest 219, England were bowled out for just 102. From a seemingly stable 95/4, they lost their final six wickets for just seven runs.
What Triggered the Collapse?
On a deteriorating pitch, Indian spinners Dilip Doshi (5/39) and Shivlal Yadav (4/33) wreaked havoc. England’s middle and lower order crumbled under pressure, misreading flight and line, falling victim to masterful spin bowling that sealed India’s triumph.
Stats Table:
| England Innings | Score | Overs Faced | Collapse Details | Main Destroyers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Innings | 102 | 52.5 | 6 wickets for 7 runs | Doshi (5), Yadav (4) |
1. India 78 All Out – Leeds, 2021
Among the Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests, India’s first-innings implosion at Headingley in 2021 was a stunning turnaround. Riding high after a win at Lord’s, India chose to bat but were skittled for just 78 in under 41 overs—their third-lowest Test score against England.
What Triggered the Collapse?
James Anderson was unstoppable early on, dismissing KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli in a fiery opening spell. Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson kept up the pressure, exploiting seam movement and bowling tight lines. With no real resistance, and Rohit Sharma top-scoring with just 19, India’s momentum vanished in a single session.
Stats Table:
| India Innings | Score | Top Scorer | Overs Faced | Key Wicket Takers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Innings | 78 | Rohit (19) | 40.4 | Anderson (3), Overton (3), Robinson (2) |
Conclusion
The Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests highlight just how quickly fortunes can shift in the longest format of the game. Whether triggered by fiery pace, masterful spin, or relentless pressure, these collapses turned matches on their heads and left lasting impressions on cricketing history. In a rivalry rich with grit and glory, these dramatic downfalls serve as a stark reminder that in Test cricket, one bad session can undo days of hard work.
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FAQ`s
Q1: What is India’s lowest Test score against England?
A: India’s lowest Test score against England is 42 all out, recorded at Lord’s in 1974—one of the most infamous collapses in Test history.
Q2: Has England ever suffered a major collapse against India?
A: Yes, notably in the 2021 Chennai Test, England were bowled out for 134 and 164, with a stunning second-innings collapse where they lost 6 wickets for just 31 runs.
Q3: What caused India’s collapse at Headingley in 2021?
India were bowled out for 78 runs due to a fiery opening spell from James Anderson and disciplined support from Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson, exploiting seam-friendly conditions.