They appeared down and out at 112 for eight at lunch, but India showed incredible resistance to defy England and claw their way back in the Lord's Test on Monday (July 14, 2025). A heroic Ravindra Jadeja got superb support, first from Jasprit Bumrah (5 off 54) and then from Mohammed Siraj (4 off 30), before agonisingly ending up 22 runs short. Ben Stokes' men rejoiced as they took a 2-1 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.
It was an utterly heartbreaking defeat for India, after all the hard work they did and ascendancy they enjoyed in the third Test. The Indian men's cricket team has had repeated brushes with such heartbreaks over time, losing Test matches they ought to have won.
The loss at Lord's on Monday ranks fourth in the list of India's narrowest defeats (by run margin) in Test history. Let us revisit the other four matches in the unfortunate top five:
India Vs Pakistan, 1999 Chennai Test: 12 Runs
The most persistent memory, when it comes to Test heartbreaks, is that of the Chennai Test against Pakistan, where India were chasing 271. Sachin Tendulkar’s valiant 136 saw them to within 17 runs before a dramatic collapse, losing by just 12 runs — the narrowest defeat (by runs) in India’s Test history.
India Vs Australia, 1977 Brisbane Test: 16 Runs
Led by Bishan Singh Bedi, India were facing target of 341. The legendary Sunil Gavaskar hit a fabulous 113 in the fourth innings, raising hopes of a famous win, but were eventually bowled out for 324 at the Gabba, short by 16 runs.
India Vs Pakistan, 1987 Bengaluru Test: 16 Runs
Another close defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan, and this time in Gavaskar's farewell Test. Chasing a target of 221 runs on a tricky Bengaluru pitch, India rode Gavaskar's gritty 96 to draw near, but little support from the other end meant that the hosts got bowled out for 204. Gavaskar was named the Player of the Match despite India's loss.
India Vs New Zealand, 2024 Wankhede Test: 25 Runs
India's fifth narrowest Test defeat came more recently, against bogey team New Zealand at home. The Kiwis dismantled India in a historic 3-0 series sweep, capped off by the Wankhede victory. Chasing a 147-run target, the hosts were bowled out for 121 as Ajaz Patel claimed six wickets.
