The India vs England Test rivalry, stretching back to 1932, is known for its rich legacy, intense contests, and legendary performances. But amidst the hundreds and double centuries, the epic spells and drawn-out battles, one theme that often decides the direction of a match is a batting collapse. Whether triggered by searing pace, beguiling spin, or sheer pressure, batting collapses have punctuated many India-England encounters, turning seemingly safe positions into complete disasters within a session. These collapses, dramatic and often humiliating, have not only altered matches but rewritten careers and headlines.
Let’s revisit the Top 5 Batting Collapses in India vs England Tests, where either side crumbled like a house of cards, leaving fans stunned and the opposition triumphant.
5. India 94 All Out – The Oval, 2011
Collapse Summary: The 2011 series was already a nightmare for India, which had lost the first three Tests. In the fourth Test at The Oval, they folded again, getting bowled out for just 94 runs in their first innings after England had posted a massive 591/6 declared.
What Triggered the Collapse?
England’s pace trio of Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Tim Bresnan exploited India’s mental fatigue. Gambhir, Dravid, and Tendulkar were all dismissed cheaply. Only Rahul Dravid resisted with a gritty 146* in the second innings, but the match was already 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
Collapse Summary: One of India’s darkest batting collapses in Test cricket came at the historic Lord’s ground in 1974. Chasing 429 to win, India were decimated for just 42 runs, their lowest Test score ever.
What Triggered the Collapse?
Chris Old and Geoff Arnold exploited overcast conditions with ruthless discipline. The ball swung extravagantly, and none of India’s batters got into double digits. Five ducks littered the scorecard, and only Eknath Solkar reached 18.
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
Collapse Summary: In the second Test of the 2021 series, England were spun into submission by Ravichandran Ashwin and debutant Axar Patel. After being bowled out for 134 in the first innings, England faced a brutal collapse in the second – bowled out for just 164, including a session where they lost 6 wickets for 31 runs.
What Triggered the Collapse?
The Chepauk pitch had started turning sharply. Axar’s accuracy and Ashwin’s guile proved too much. Moeen Ali and Joe Root fell in quick succession before the tail was swept aside.
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
Collapse Summary: In an iconic moment of Indian spin dominance, England were reduced to 102 all out in their second innings, chasing a modest 219. From 95/4, they lost their last six wickets for just seven runs, succumbing to a classic batting collapse.
What Triggered the Collapse?
The pitch at Wankhede had worn out, but it was Dilip Doshi and Shivlal Yadav who truly spun a web. Doshi ended with 5/39, while Yadav grabbed 4/33. England’s middle and lower order had no answers, often playing down the wrong line or misjudging flight.
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
Collapse Summary: After an inspirational win at Lord’s just a week earlier, India entered the third Test at Headingley with momentum. But it all came crashing down in one morning session as England’s seamers ran riot. India, choosing to bat, were bundled out for just 78 in under 41 overs, their third-lowest Test score against England.
What Triggered the Collapse?
James Anderson, in vintage form, removed KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli in a devastating opening spell. Craig Overton and Ollie Robinson piled on the misery, exploiting the lateral movement and disciplined lengths. There was no real resistance. Rohit Sharma top-scored with 19.
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) |
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