0-4, 6-4, 8-4...India's worst starts in England!

Rajneesh Gupta’s quick take on India's worst starts on the opening day of a Test.

The top order came crashing down as India experienced one of its worst starts in Test cricket on Day 1 of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Thursday.

- Scorecard: England vs India 4th Test

Electing to bat, the visitors were reduced to four for eight in the fifth over after England pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad claimed two wickets each.

Opener Gautam Gambhir was caught at gully for four before Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara perished in quick succession without opening their accounts.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni saved India the blushes with a gritty innings of 71 as they finished on 152 in their first innings with Broad claiming six for 25.

India’s second worst start was in the fourth match of that series. They were reduced to six for four before being bowled out for 98 in the first innings at the Oval in London.

However, the visitors were saved by the weather, as rain washed out most of the game later.

Interestingly, some of India’s worse starts have come in England, including the 14-4 at Lord’s in 1974 and 17-4 at Manchester in 1952 as they were bowled out for 42 and 58 respectively.

However, there are instances of India's recovery as well from poor starts, among which the 266 they scored against New Zealand at Ahmedabad in 2010-11 after being reduced to 15 for four, stands out.

India’s worst starts in Test cricket: