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Test cricket is a game of fine margins, where handful of runs or late wickets can be the difference between victory and defeat. India has been on the winning side of some of the most heart-stopping finishes in the history of the sport. These are not just wins; they are sagas of resilience, brilliant individual performances, and unwavering team spirit against all odds. Here are five of India’s narrowest Test victories by runs.
Here are the top 5 narrowest win for India in Tests:
1. 6 Runs vs England, 2025
This match at The Oval is an instant classic and now holds the record for India’s closest Test victory by runs. England’s aggressive approach had them cruising toward a massive target of 374, with two centurions putting them in the driver’s seat. However, on the final morning, a fired-up Indian attack produced a masterclass in bowling. Mohammed Siraj, in particular, delivered a fiery spell that dismantled England’s lower order. His relentless accuracy and a crucial five-wicket haul, capped off by a pinpoint yorker to seal the win, turned what seemed like a certain loss into an unbelievable victory and a series draw.
2. 13 Runs vs Australia, 2004
In a truly chaotic and low-scoring affair at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India clinched a famous win against a dominant Australian side. The match was a roller-coaster from the first ball, with the pitch offering a vicious turn that made scoring difficult. Chasing a meager target of 107, Australia seemed to have the game in hand. But a dramatic and sudden collapse, spurred by the spin of Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik, saw them bowled out for just 93. It was a chaotic but memorable win that highlighted India’s ability to thrive in tough conditions.
3. 28 Runs vs England, 1972
The Delhi Test of 1972 is a testament to the might of Indian spin bowling in its golden era. Defending a modest target of 192, the Indian bowlers, led by the legendary Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, delivered a masterclass. On a wearing pitch, Chandrasekhar’s mesmerizing leg-spin proved unplayable. His nine-wicket haul in the match broke the back of the English batting line-up and secured a hard-fought, tense victory that is still revered as one of India’s most significant wins on home soil.
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4. 31 Runs vs Australia, 2018
India’s historic tour of Australia in 2018 began with a dramatic win in Adelaide. While a Cheteshwar Pujara century gave India a strong first-innings total, the team still had to fight hard in the fourth innings to secure the result. Chasing 323, the Australian lower order staged a brave fightback that pushed the match to the very end. The Indian fast bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, held their nerve with disciplined bowling in the face of pressure. The final wicket fell with Australia agonizingly short, giving India its first series-opening win in Australia and laying the foundation for a historic series victory.
5. 37 Runs vs West Indies, 2002
The Port of Spain Test of 2002 was a true battle of attrition where every run and wicket was hard-earned. In a low-scoring contest, India set a challenging fourth-innings target of 313. The West Indies’ batsmen showed great resilience, but the Indian bowlers, led by a fired-up Ashish Nehra, never gave up. They chipped away at the wickets, with the entire attack bowling with a disciplined line and length. The match remained in the balance until the very end, with India’s determination ultimately earning them a memorable 37-run victory.
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