Image: A historic T20I loss to England completes India's worst defeats across all three cricket formats / © Cricinfo
India has enjoyed plenty of memorable victories, but a few defeats have also found a place in the record books. The team’s biggest losses by runs have come in all three international formats over different eras. Sri Lanka handed India a 245 run defeat in the 2000 Champions Trophy final, South Africa registered a 408 run win in the 2025 Guwahati Test, and England recorded a 125 run victory in the third T20I at Nottingham in 2026.
India’s biggest ODI defeat came in the 2000 Champions Trophy final at Sharjah. Sri Lanka posted 299 for 5 after captain Sanath Jayasuriya played a stunning knock of 189 from 161 balls. Russel Arnold remained unbeaten on 52 to give the innings a strong finish. India never settled in the chase. Chaminda Vaas removed the top order with figures of 5 for 14, while Muttiah Muralidaran claimed 3 for 6. The batting line up collapsed for just 54 in 26.3 overs, giving Sri Lanka a 245 run victory that still stands as India’s heaviest ODI defeat by runs.
South Africa inflicted India’s biggest Test defeat during the second Test in Guwahati in November 2025. The visitors made 489 in the first innings, with Senuran Muthusamy scoring 109 and Marco Jansen adding 93. India replied with 201 despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 58, as Jansen took six wickets. South Africa then declared at 260 for 5, leaving India a target of 549. Ravindra Jadeja made 54 in the second innings, but Simon Harmer’s 6 for 37 wrapped up the innings at 140. The result was a record 408 run defeat.
India’s biggest T20I defeat came against England at Trent Bridge in July 2026. England finished on 201 for 7 after Phil Salt scored 70, while Jos Buttler made 36 and Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 41. India lost wickets from the start and never recovered. Josh Tongue picked up four wickets, Jofra Archer claimed three, and Adil Rashid took two. India were bowled out for 76 in 11.4 overs, handing England a 125 run win, India’s biggest defeat by runs in T20 Internationals.