India has long been one of the most dominant teams in world cricket, especially when playing matches at home. Familiar pitches, passionate crowds, and deep knowledge of local conditions usually give India a strong edge over visiting sides. Because of this advantage, defeats on Indian soil are rare, and heavy losses by runs are even more shocking. Over the years, however, a few exceptional matches have stood out as the biggest home defeats of team india by runs, where touring teams managed to outplay India completely. These defeats surprised fans, raised serious questions about performance, and became memorable moments in Indian cricket history.
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List of 5 Biggest Home Defeats of Team India by Runs
5. India Lost by 40 Runs vs New Zealand – Rajkot, 2017
The fifth entry in the list of biggest home defeats of team india by runs came against New Zealand in Rajkot in 2017. This match surprised many because the pitch was expected to heavily favor batters, and India were seen as clear favorites.
New Zealand batted first and played with great patience. Their batters avoided unnecessary risks and focused on building partnerships. Instead of going for big shots early, they rotated the strike well and punished loose deliveries. This approach helped them post a competitive total.
India started the chase positively, but the middle overs became a problem. Wickets fell at regular intervals, which slowed the scoring rate. The pressure kept increasing, and India failed to form long partnerships. Despite some late resistance, the target remained out of reach.
New Zealand’s bowlers stayed disciplined and calm in the final overs, sealing a 40-run victory. This loss became one of India’s most talked-about home defeats in limited-overs cricket.
| Opponent | New Zealand |
| Venue | Rajkot |
| Year | 2017 |
| Margin of Defeat | 40 runs |
| Batting First | New Zealand |
| Result | India lost |
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4. India Lost by 47 Runs vs New Zealand – Nagpur, 2016
Another match against New Zealand appears next on the list of biggest home defeats of team india by runs. This defeat happened in Nagpur in 2016 and highlighted India’s struggle against smart bowling plans.
New Zealand once again batted first and laid a strong foundation. Their top order played cautiously at the start and accelerated later. The middle order added crucial runs, especially during the death overs, which pushed the total beyond India’s comfort zone.
India’s chase never looked settled. Early wickets increased pressure, and the required run rate kept climbing. Even though a few batters tried to fight back, the lack of partnerships hurt India badly. New Zealand’s bowlers mixed pace and length effectively, making scoring difficult.
Eventually, India fell 47 runs short. This match further strengthened New Zealand’s reputation as a tough touring side in Indian conditions.
| Opponent | New Zealand |
| Venue | Nagpur |
| Year | 2016 |
| Margin of Defeat | 47 runs |
| Batting First | New Zealand |
| Result | India lost |
3. India Lost by 49 Runs vs South Africa – Indore, 2022
At number three among the biggest home defeats of team india by runs is the loss against South Africa in Indore in 2022. This match was a complete setback for India, as South Africa dominated all aspects of the game.
South Africa batted first and showed aggressive intent from the beginning. Their batters attacked Indian bowlers early, preventing them from settling into a rhythm. Boundaries came frequently, and the scoreboard pressure increased quickly.
India’s batting response was weak. The top order failed to give a solid start, and wickets kept falling at crucial moments. South Africa’s bowlers maintained tight lines and used variations in pace smartly, making run-scoring difficult.
India eventually lost by 49 runs, marking one of their heaviest home defeats in recent years and a reminder that even strong teams can struggle under pressure.
| Opponent | South Africa |
| Venue | Indore |
| Year | 2022 |
| Margin of Defeat | 49 runs |
| Batting First | South Africa |
| Result | India lost |
2. India Lost by 50 Runs vs New Zealand – Vizag, 2026*
Second on the list of biggest home defeats of team india by runs is India’s 50-run loss against New Zealand in Vizag in 2026. This match once again showed New Zealand’s ability to adapt quickly to Indian conditions.
New Zealand’s batters built steady partnerships and accelerated at the right time. They avoided reckless shots and focused on placing the ball into gaps. Their total was well above par, putting India under pressure even before the chase began.
India struggled throughout their innings. New Zealand’s bowlers controlled the middle overs and did not allow Indian batters to rotate the strike freely. Boundaries were rare, and the required run rate kept increasing.
Despite crowd support, India could not match New Zealand’s intensity and eventually lost by 50 runs. The year is marked with an asterisk as it reflects a recent or ongoing season.
| Opponent | New Zealand |
| Venue | Vizag |
| Year | 2026* |
| Margin of Defeat | 50 runs |
| Batting First | New Zealand |
| Result | India lost |
1. India Lost by 51 Runs vs South Africa – Mullanpur, 2025
Topping the list of biggest home defeats of team india by runs is the 51-run loss against South Africa in Mullanpur in 2025. This remains India’s heaviest defeat by runs on home soil.
South Africa dominated the match from start to finish. Batting first, they played fearless cricket, taking full advantage of loose deliveries. Their batters built strong partnerships and posted a total that put India under massive pressure.
India’s batting lineup failed to respond. Early wickets shattered confidence, and the middle order could not recover. South Africa’s bowlers were aggressive, accurate, and relentless, leaving India with no room to fight back.
The match ended with India losing by 51 runs, making it the most significant entry among the biggest home defeats of team india by runs and a rare low point in India’s strong home record.
| Opponent | South Africa |
| Venue | Mullanpur |
| Year | 2025 |
| Margin of Defeat | 51 runs |
| Batting First | South Africa |
| Result | India lost |
FAQ
1: What are the biggest home defeats of Team India by runs?
The biggest home defeats of team india by runs refer to matches where India lost at home by a large margin in terms of runs. These defeats are rare because India usually performs very strongly on home pitches.
2: Which team has defeated India by the highest margin at home?
South Africa holds the record for defeating India by the highest margin at home. In 2025 at Mullanpur, South Africa beat India by 51 runs, which is the biggest home defeat of Team India by runs so far.
3: How many times has New Zealand beaten India heavily at home?
New Zealand appears multiple times in the list of the biggest home defeats of team india by runs. They defeated India by 40 runs (2017), 47 runs (2016), and 50 runs (2026*), showing their strong performance on Indian soil.
4: Why are heavy home defeats rare for Team India?
Heavy home defeats are rare for Team India because Indian players are very familiar with local conditions, pitches, and weather. Strong crowd support and spin-friendly surfaces usually give India a big advantage at home.