10 biggest innings defeats in Test cricket

#10 England vs India at Lord’s (20-24 June 1974)

Margin: Innings and 285 runs

India’s tour of England in 1974 proved to be a big disaster as the visitors lost all three matches by huge margins

A match which features India’s lowest ever innings total in Test cricket is sure to invite other unwanted records as well and that is the case here as hosts England won the 2nd Test of the three-match series against England in the summer of 1974 by an innings and 285 runs.

After centuries by three of its batsmen allowed the hosts to put on a massive total of 629 in their first innings, India, led by Farook Engineer’s knock of 86, posted a respectable 302 in reply. The total was still well short of the follow-on mark and with the match seemingly heading for a draw on the final day of play, England skipper Mike Denness opted to give his bowlers another crack at the Indian batsmen.

Much to the home crowd's delight, England’s new-ball pair of Geoff Arnold and Chris Old ran through the Indian batting order dismissing the visitors for just 42 in 17 overs. Eknath Solkar was the only Indian batsmen to reach double figures, remaining unbeaten on 18 as B Chandrasekar failed to make it to the crease after picking up an injury earlier in the match.