Three lowest totals for Afghanistan in Test cricket ft. India’s Dominance
The Challenges of Red-Ball Cricket
The Afghanistan cricket team has carved out a reputation for being fearless, talented, and capable of taking down established giants in white-ball formats. However, Test cricket remains the ultimate litmus test for any cricketing nation. It demands patience, technical refinement, and the ability to withstand pressure over five grueling days. For Afghanistan, the journey into the Test arena has been a sobering experience, particularly when coming up against the tactical and technical superiority of the Indian national team.
When analyzing the Three lowest totals for Afghanistan in Test cricket ft. India’s Dominance, it is evident that the skill gap in red-ball conditions remains a significant hurdle. Every one of these low scores serves as a reminder of the immense depth of India’s bowling arsenal and the high standards required to compete at the pinnacle of the sport.
3. 112 vs India, Mullanpur, 2026
The most recent entry into this list occurred during the one-off Test in Mullanpur in 2026. The match showcased the stark reality of playing away from home against a dominant host. India flexed their batting muscles, posting a colossal 564/8, headlined by brilliant centuries from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. For Afghanistan, the challenge was twofold: surviving against a top-tier pace attack and navigating a world-class spin department.
In the second innings, the Afghan batting unit crumbled, managing only 112 runs. Sediqullah Atal offered some resistance with 42, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz chipped in with 24, but they were isolated efforts. Washington Sundar was the architect of the collapse, claiming four wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar ensured that the visitors had no breathing room. The match concluded with a resounding innings-and-300-run victory for India.
2. 109 vs India, Bengaluru, 2018
The 2018 Test in Bengaluru was a landmark moment for Afghanistan, marking their historic debut in the longest format. While the occasion was celebratory, the cricket was uncompromising. After India batted first and built a massive lead, the Afghanistan team was forced to follow on, a daunting task for a side playing their first-ever Test match.
Under the immense pressure of their inaugural Test, the Afghan lineup struggled to find a rhythm. As they followed on, the Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, supported by the pace of Ishant Sharma, proved too much to handle. The innings folded for 109, a total that highlighted the technical adjustments required at the Test level. Despite the defeat, the match provided an invaluable, albeit harsh, lesson in the rigors of Test cricket.
1. 103 vs India, Bengaluru, 2018
The lowest total in Afghanistan’s history remains their first-ever innings in Test cricket, occurring during that same 2018 Bengaluru Test. After India piled on 474 runs, the Afghan batters stepped onto the field knowing they were significantly behind the game. The pressure was palpable from the very first ball.
Hashmatullah Shahidi emerged as the only batter who appeared comfortable, scoring 36 runs before the rest of the lineup succumbed to the precision of the Indian attack. Ravindra Jadeja was lethal, tearing through the batting order to claim four wickets, while Umesh Yadav utilized his pace to secure three. Ultimately, the innings lasted only 38.4 overs, resulting in a total of 103. This remains the lowest score in their Test history.
What These Records Tell Us
While these statistics might seem discouraging, they are a vital part of the growth process for any developing cricket nation. The Three lowest totals for Afghanistan in Test cricket ft. India’s Dominance illustrate the difference between the intensity of domestic and international white-ball cricket compared to the relentless nature of Test match cricket. By facing the best, Afghanistan gains the insights necessary to build a more robust, competitive, and technically sound Test team for the future.
