India have been one of the most successful teams in the shortest format. The Men in Blue have won several memorable matches and dominated many teams. However, even the best teams can have difficult days when nothing goes their way. India recently suffered their biggest defeat by runs in T20I history after England thumped them in the third T20I of the ongoing series in July 2026. The result has now gone into the record books.
Here are India’s five biggest defeats by runs in T20I cricket.
1. Lost by 125 runs vs England (Nottingham, 2026)
England handed India their biggest-ever T20I defeat at Trent Bridge.
Phil Salt led the charge with 70 off 44 balls. The likes of Jos Buttler scored 36, and Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 41. England finished with a strong total of 201/7. Debutant Prince Yadav was India’s best bowler with two wickets.
India’s batting completely collapsed during the chase. Josh Tongue ripped through the lineup with figures of 4/28, while Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid also made life difficult for the visitors. India were bowled out for just 76 in 11.4 overs and lost by 125 runs.
2. Lost by 80 runs vs New Zealand (Wellington, 2019)
This was India’s biggest loss by runs in T20Is before the Nottingham defeat.
New Zealand posted a huge 219/6 after Tim Seifert smashed 84 off 43 balls. Kane Williamson also played an important innings to keep the scoreboard moving.
India never recovered during the chase. Shikhar Dhawan made 29, but the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Lockie Ferguson’s pace and the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi proved too good for the Indian batters.
India were dismissed for 139 and lost by 80 runs.
READ MORE: Varun Chakravarthy to Chris Jordan: Five Bowlers who took Most Wickets in India vs England T20Is
3. Lost by 76 runs vs South Africa (Ahmedabad, 2026)
India suffered another heavy defeat during the 2026 T20 World Cup.
South Africa recovered from an early wobble through useful contributions from Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, and David Miller. They finished with 187/7.
India’s top order failed badly in the chase. Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma departed cheaply. Shivam Dube fought back with 42, but he found little support from the other batters.
South Africa bowled India out for 111 to register a comfortable 76-run victory.
4. Lost by 51 runs vs South Africa (Chandigarh, 2025)
Quinton de Kock was the pick of the batters for South Africa. He chipped in with a superb 90 as the visitors piled up 213/4.
India struggled to keep up with the required run rate despite Tilak Varma’s 62 and a useful contribution from Hardik Pandya. South Africa’s bowlers finished strongly and triggered a dramatic collapse at the end of the innings.
India finished on 162 and lost by 51 runs.
5. Lost by 50 runs vs New Zealand (Visakhapatnam, 2026)
Tim Seifert and Devon Conway kick-started the innings pretty well. Daryl Mitchell added important runs at the end and helped New Zealand post 215/7.
India lost early wickets and slipped behind in the chase. Shivam Dube played a sensational knock of 65 off just 23 balls to keep India’s hopes alive. However, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi ripped through India’s batting defence and picked up crucial wickets in the middle overs.
India’s innings ended quickly after Dube’s dismissal. The hosts were bowled out for 165, and New Zealand won by 50 runs.
Heavy defeats are rare for India in T20I cricket. India also set an unwanted record, and the team will now look to bounce back strongly and avoid similar collapses in the future.
