India had its share of woes of registering low scores in ODI’s and a few other countries. Lucky enough, they don’t hold that dubious record, for that is safely in Zimbabwe’s hands. Zimbabwe scored only 35 runs in an encounter against the visiting Srilankan team. Ironically, India also posted their lowest score of 54 against Sri lanka in a neutral venue, Sharjah.
More than the low total, it has to be the margin of defeat that makes things worse. Srilanka batted first, and the flamboyant Sanath Jayasuriya took on the Indian bowling attack, which was quite experienced!
The Indians managed to keep the other batters under check and ran through the famed middle order with Jayasuriya watching from the other end. Russell Arnold stood his ground, and the world witnessed a brutal attack by Jayasuriya. He scored 189 runs at a strike rate of 118! Russel did not do badly either, as he posted a fifty himself.
The Indians were asked to chase 300 for a target which was an imposing one those days. Sachin and Ganguly were gone even before the total score reached double figures. From a score of 10 for 2, the Indians could not take on the fury unleashed by Chaminda Vaas and then by Muralitharan later. Every batsman scored under double digits apart from Robin Singh, and the match became lengthier only because of batsmen walking in and out. Robin Singh scored “11”, the team’s highest score! It was more embarrassing because the runs in the “extras” column when Srilanka batted was” 22’.
India lost all their wickets by the 27th, with its pride. Sanath Jayasuriya was awarded the “Man of The Match” and “Player of the Series”.
India’s s Lowest ‘Eight” ODI Totals:
| Sr. No. | Date | Opponents | India score | Overs faced | Venue | Final Result |
| 1 | 29 Oct 2000 | Sri Lanka | 54 | 26.3 | Sharjah | Lost |
| 2 | 8 Jan 1981 | Australia | 63 | 25.5 | Sydney | Lost |
| 3 | 24 Dec 1986 | Sri Lanka | 78 | 24.1 | Kanpur | Lost |
| 4 | 13 Oct 1978 | Pakistan | 79 | 34.2 | Sialkot | Lost |
| 5 | 10 Aug 2010 | New Zealand | 88 | 29.3 | Dambulla | Lost |
| 6 | 22 Nov 2006 | South Africa | 91 | 29.1 | Durban | Lost |
| 7 | 31 Jan 2019 | New Zealand | 92 | 30.5 | Hamilton | Lost |
| 8 | 14 Jan 2000 | Australia | 100 | 36.3 | Sydney | Lost |
