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

Last updated on: August 08, 2014 16:05 IST

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:

Start

Opponents

Venue

Season

Final Score

Result

0-4

v England

Leeds

1952

165

Lost

6-4

v England

The Oval

1952

98

Drawn

8-4

v England

Manchester

2014

152

In Progress*

10-4

v New Zealand

Mohali

1999-00

83

Lost

14-4

v England

Lord's

1974

42

Lost

15-4

v South Africa

Durban

1996-97

66

Lost

15-4

v New Zealand

Ahmedabad

2010-11

266

Drawn

16-4

v New Zealand

Wellington

1998-99

208

Lost

17-4

v England

Manchester

1952

58

Lost

17-4

v Pakistan

Kanpur

1979-80

162

Drawn

17-4

v West Indies

Kolkata

1958-59

154

Lost

Rajneesh Gupta