Test cricket has given Indian fans countless thrilling wins, but it has also created some painful memories. There have been several moments when a small fourth-innings chase turned into a major collapse. These incidents stand out in history and are often remembered among Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures.
This article explains five such matches, where India collapsed dramatically while chasing what looked like very achievable scores. Every section also includes a simple stats table for clarity.
Table of Contents
List of 5 Indias Most Embarrassing Test Run-Chase Failures
5. 193 vs England at Lord’s (2025)
Among Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures, the Lord’s Test of 2025 remains a surprising setback. India had dominated the early part of the match. After posting a huge first-innings score and securing a 387-run lead, the visitors were in complete control. England’s second innings ended at 192, leaving India a target of only 193 runs — a chase that should have been routine for a strong batting lineup.
But what followed turned the match into one of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures. The top order collapsed instantly. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck, Shubman Gill managed only 6, and Rishabh Pant added just 9 before falling. With wickets falling regularly, India were suddenly under pressure despite the small target.
Ravindra Jadeja played with calm and technique, remaining unbeaten on 61, trying to rebuild the chase. But no one supported him. Mohammed Siraj fought for 29 deliveries, trying his best to extend the innings, but Shoaib Bashir finally removed him, ending the Indian innings at 170 all out. England celebrated an unexpected 23-run win.
This match is discussed again and again when cricket fans list Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures, mainly because of the massive lead India had earlier in the match.
| Detail | Info |
| Target | 193 |
| India’s Score | 170 all out |
| England 2nd Innings | 192 |
| India’s Top Scorer | Ravindra Jadeja 61* |
| Best Bowler | Shoaib Bashir |
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4. 176 vs Sri Lanka at Galle (2015)
The Galle Test of 2015 is another example often included in the list of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures. India started the match strongly by bowling Sri Lanka out for 183. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli dominated in India’s first innings, scoring centuries and building a healthy lead. Everything suggested that India were in the perfect position to take a 1–0 lead in the series.
However, Sri Lanka turned the match around beautifully. Dinesh Chandimal played one of the finest innings of his career, scoring 162 runs and guiding Sri Lanka to a total of 367 in their second innings. Suddenly, India needed 176 runs to win — still a small target, but the pitch had begun to assist spin sharply.
Rangana Herath then produced a masterclass. His seven-wicket haul destroyed India’s chase and turned the match into one of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures. Batsmen struggled to read his variations, and the pressure mounted with every over. Tharindu Kaushal also supported well from the other end, cleaning up the tail.
India were eventually bowled out for just 112, losing the Test by 63 runs. The defeat shocked fans because India had controlled the match for most of the first two days.
| Detail | Info |
| Target | 176 |
| India’s Score | 112 |
| Sri Lanka 2nd Innings | 367 |
| Top Scorer (Sri Lanka) | Dinesh Chandimal 162 |
| Best Bowler | Rangana Herath 7 wickets |
3. 147 vs New Zealand at Wankhede (2024)
Another famous addition to the list of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures came at the Wankhede Stadium in 2024. New Zealand took early control of the match by building a huge first-innings lead of 235 runs. India responded with a determined performance in their second innings, reaching 263 thanks to a gritty 90 from Shubman Gill.
Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar bowled brilliantly together, collecting nine wickets between them. Despite this pressure, New Zealand added another 174 runs in their second innings, setting India a modest target of 147.
But the chase quickly turned into one of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures. Ajaz Patel bowled a sensational spell, picking up six wickets and completely dismantling the Indian lineup. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 5, and both Gill and Virat Kohli were dismissed for just 1 run each. The crowd at Wankhede, expecting a comfortable chase, was stunned.
Even the lower order could not hold on, as Glenn Phillips removed both Ravichandran Ashwin and Akash Deep to end the Indian innings at 121. New Zealand secured a memorable 25-run win — a match that remains a painful reminder in discussions about Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures.
| Detail | Info |
| Target | 147 |
| India’s Score | 121 |
| New Zealand 2nd Innings | 174 |
| India’s Top Score (Match) | Shubman Gill 90 (1st innings) |
| Best Bowler | Ajaz Patel 6 wickets |
2. 124 vs South Africa at Eden Gardens (2025)
The Eden Gardens Test of 2025 ranks extremely high among Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures. The pitch in Kolkata offered sharp turn from Day 1, and South Africa struggled against India’s bowlers, getting dismissed for 159 and 153 in the two innings. Given the home advantage and traditionally strong batting lineup, a target of 124 should have been manageable for India.
But the South African spin duo of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj had other plans. Harmer grabbed four wickets in each innings, consistently breaking India’s batting rhythm. His accuracy, control, and sharp off-spin made him nearly impossible to handle. Maharaj supported him beautifully, creating constant pressure from the other end.
KL Rahul was the only Indian batter who showed some resistance, scoring a combined 39 runs across both innings. Yet it was nowhere near enough. During the chase of 124, India lost wickets at regular intervals, turning the small target into one of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures in recent years.
The final blow came when Mohammed Siraj edged a delivery from Maharaj to slip, ending the innings and completing South Africa’s unexpected win.
| Detail | Info |
| Target | 124 |
| India’s Score | Below 124 |
| South Africa Innings | 159 & 153 |
| Best Bowler (South Africa) | Simon Harmer (4 + 4) |
| India’s Top Batter | KL Rahul (39 across innings) |
1. 120 vs West Indies at Bridgetown (1997)
The 1997 Bridgetown Test is widely regarded as the biggest entry on the list of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures. It remains one of the most shocking defeats in Indian cricket history. West Indies started the match by scoring 298 in the first innings, powered by a brilliant unbeaten 137 from Shivnarine Chanderpaul. India replied strongly with 319, taking a small but important lead.
West Indies then collapsed for just 140 in their second innings. Abey Kuruvilla bowled his heart out, claiming five wickets, while Venkatesh Prasad added three more. With a target of only 120, India seemed almost certain to win the Test.
But what followed turned this match into the No. 1 example of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures. The West Indian pace attack came alive as Ian Bishop delivered a fiery four-wicket spell. Curtly Ambrose and Franklin Rose also inflicted heavy damage, taking three wickets each.
India never found stability. Batsmen kept falling, unable to cope with the bounce and intensity of the West Indian bowlers. The entire team collapsed for only 81 runs. VVS Laxman top-scored with a mere 19 — and that too wasn’t enough to bring any balance to the innings.
West Indies won the match by 38 runs, and the defeat remains unforgettable whenever people discuss Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures.
| Detail | Info |
| Target | 120 |
| India’s Score | 81 |
| West Indies 2nd Innings | 140 |
| Best Bowler (West Indies) | Ian Bishop 4 wickets |
| India’s Top Scorer | VVS Laxman 19 |
FAQs
1. What does the phrase “Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures” mean?
It refers to Test matches where India failed to chase very small targets. These losses are considered embarrassing because the scores were low and India was expected to win easily but collapsed under pressure.
2. Why do small run-chases sometimes become difficult in Test cricket?
Even low targets can be tough because the pitch becomes old, spin or swing increases, and pressure builds on the batting team. These conditions often lead to collapses, which is why some matches become part of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures.
3. Which match is considered the worst among Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures?
The 1997 Test at Bridgetown against West Indies is widely seen as the most disappointing. India needed only 120 runs but were bowled out for 81, making it the biggest collapse in the list of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures.
4. Who were the key bowlers responsible for Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures?
Different bowlers dominated in each match. Rangana Herath, Ajaz Patel, Simon Harmer, Ian Bishop, and Shoaib Bashir all played major roles in creating some of Indias most embarrassing Test run-chase failures by taking crucial wickets and destroying India’s batting order.