The second test in between India and South Africa At the Bartsapara Cricket Stadium, it resulted in a devastating result for the hosts who suffered a 408-run defeat. The loss was not sealed with a 2-0 series sweep to clinch their first Test series on Indian soil since 2000, but a grim new record in the history books. This monumental loss now remains the team’s heaviest in Test history, eclipsing the previous worst margins by a significant distance. On that note, let’s take a look at some of India’s biggest defeats in the longest format.
Team India’s five biggest Test defeats (by runs)
408 Runs – South Africa (Guwahati, 2025)
This monumental 408 against South Africa stands as the heaviest loss in Test cricket with a historic 2-0 series sweep for the visitors – their first series win on Indian soil in 25 years. South Africa dominated the departments, a mammoth 489 in the first innings, thanks to a large number Senuran Muthusamycentury and Marco Jansen‘s 93. Jansen followed up with a devastating 6/48 with the ball to dismiss India for 2013. Simon’s appearanceClaiming a career-best 6/37 in the fourth innings, it won him the series award. He also saw the competition Aiden Markram Set a new world record for most catches by a fielder in a test match (9).
342 Runs vs Australia (Nagpur, 2004)
This crushing defeat was India’s heaviest in the first Test series win by an Indian captain since 1969 and the first Test series win in Australia. Australia’s dominance was absolute, highlighted by a lethal spell from the fast bowler Jason GillespieClaiming nine wickets in the match, he systematically dismantled a disintegrating Indian batting line-up while chasing a mammoth 543-run target.
341 Pakistan (Karachi, 2006)
India’s biggest defeat from home came during the third Test in Karachi in 2006, despite an electrifying Irfan Pathan He became the first bowler in Test history to take a hat trick in the first innings of the match. However, the initial lead was quickly erased as Pakistan’s lower order recovered strongly and then put on a magnificent display in the second innings. In the third and fourth innings, seven of the eight Pakistani bowlers scored fifty or more to take the lead, leaving an unattainable target. India’s subsequent batting collapse, led by a four-wicket drive Abdul Razzaqsealed a massive 341 run loss.
337 Runs vs Australia (Melbourne, 2007)
This hard-fought Boxing Day Test loss that opened the controversial 2007-08 boundary-Gavaskar Trophy series collapsed in the fourth innings while chasing 499 runs in the fourth innings. Setting up a near-impossible chase after Australia declared their second innings, the Indian Batters could not withstand the Australian PACE attack as Australia folded for 161 runs on a mcg pitch. The match was a clear display of ruthless Australian bowling and took a heavy toll on the confidence of the Indian group, setting a gloomy tone for the contentious series that followed.
333 Runs vs Australia (Pune, 2017)
The 333-run defeat against Australia in 2017 was arguably one of India’s most shocking home losses in recent memory as the team’s impressive 19-match unbeaten streak under the then captain came to an end Virat Kohli. The match was played on an extremely spin-friendly pitch, but it was a left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe Exploiting the conditions most effectively, he bowled a magnificent match of 12 wickets as he conceded only 70, the best figures by a visiting spinner in India at the time. India’s batting line-up failed spectacularly in both the innings, for 105 and 107 in both the innings, showing just how much aggressive pitching is capable of.
Read: HND VS SA: Aiden Markram overtakes Ajinkya Rahane for the script record in Test cricket
