India's lowest totals in ODIs
After a historic win in the Test Series, India are all set to play an ODI series against Australia at their home. While the hosts would like to forget whatever happened in the longest format of the game, the visitors, on the other side, will look to take the momentum from the Test to the ODI series and try and go back home with two trophies along with them.
The series will commence on 12th January when Australia take on India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It is worth noting that India had recorded its second-lowest total in ODIs in this ground against the same opposition. However, with the recent form of Indian batsmen, this may sound out of place but India had to face a heartbreaking defeat in that game.
On the 8th of January 1981, India took on the Aussies at the SCG. It was in this game that India recorded what was then their lowest score in ODIs. At present, this remains the second-lowest total ever.
India were bundled out for just 63 runs. Sunil Gavaskar was the captain of this Indian side and he made just 1 run in this match. Star Indian batsman Gundappa Viswanath top-scored with 23 runs. Although Greg Chappell took six wickets, most of these wickets came from the lack of experience and inability of the Indian batsmen to apply themselves at the middle. In response, Australia lost only a wicket and won the game with nine wickets in hand.
India's lowest total came against Sri Lanka
It is to be noted that India recorded their lowest ODI total ever against Sri Lanka. This particular match was played on 29th October 2000 at Sharjah. Sanath Jayasuriya's 189 helped Sri Lanka post 299/5 on the board. In return, India were dismissed for just 54 runs. Sourav Ganguly, who was the skipper of this Indian side, managed just 3 runs while Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar contributed just 5.
The fact that such a poor performance came in the finals hurt India a lot more. However, in due time India made huge improvements in their game and have left this performance in Sharjah way behind them.