Beating England in a thrilling fashion by 6 runs just hours ago at The Oval in London was India topping the charts in the list of the lowest margins of wins by runs for India in Tests. There are always the dominant kind of wins where your victory is ascertained for you've been in the driver's seat for the longest possible time. But then there are also moments of total thrill and pure daring where let alone a win, a defeat is on the cards. Such was the occasion and the surreality of it just hours ago in England's The Oval when India, poised for a defeat given how dominant were England, all thanks to Brooks and Root's century, came right on top to register a brilliant, nervy and perhaps unexpected win.
India's thrilling Test match win, that ultimately tied the recently-concluded series 2-2 in England, meant that Shubman Gill got off to a flier in his maiden Test assignment as captain but it also at the same time assured the team's die hard fans of a few bold positives, starting with Rahul's imperious Test batting form, Pant's daredevilry, about Jadeja's heroism away from Indian conditions and most important of them all, that the team isn't solely dependent on fast bowling aces like Bumrah. And that in Siraj and Krishna, we have some of the best artillery in pure Test match seam bowling credentials.
That being said, which have been India's lowest margin of wins in Test cricket by virtue of runs?
Well there've been a few impressive victories, two apiece garnered against distinct powers in international Test match cricket, Australia and England. But there's also been a wonderful win against the West Indies.
Here are the lowest margins of wins by runs for India in Tests:
| Margin of win | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| 6 runs | England | The Oval, London | 2025 |
| 13 runs | Australia | Wankhede, Mumbai | 2004 |
| 28 runs | England | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 1972 |
| 31 runs | Australia | Adelaide | 2018 |
| 37 runs | West Indies | Trinidad and Tobago | 2002 |
The win against Australia in Adelaide
Back in those days, Pujara used to be in the team as the watchful protector at #3 and back then, Kohli used to be the captain. In the opening game of the series, during Australia's Langer being the coach of the awesome side, it was India all the way in Adelaide, as Pujara in his glowing and meticulous knock of 123 that came off 246 deliveries, fluent by his usually slow standards, starred for India in a rather sedate looking scorecard of 250. But when it came to Australia's batting, every single member of India's recognised bowling effort stood out- Ashwin and Bumrah took 3 wickets apiece, with Ishant and Shami taking 2-fors.
In the second innings, Pujara held onto an end again scoring 71, whilst Rahane made 70. Back then, the very batters who India seems to have turned their backs to today, shone brightly in helping their team grab a vital win.
The win vs West Indies in Lara-land in 2002
You usually tend to think of Sunil Gavaskar's batting heroics at the ground in Trinidad and arguably speaking, Trinidad's finest sons ever for the West Indies - Brian Charles Lara. But in 2002, it was Tendulkar (117) and Dravid (67) magic that led to India, who batted first, in scoring 339. Dillon, Cuffy and Adam Sanford had to slog out. But in reply, Stuart Williams, Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Carl Hooper all joined the bandwagon scoring vital and timely knocks of 43, 52, 35 and 50, respectively to secure the Windies line up as the team made 245. But after India's top and middle order collapsed towards the end of day 3, it all came down to Laxman and Ganguly to score 74 and 75, respectively, to help out India when it was most needed. While the West Indies again fought on, Gayle with his 52 fending off Srinath, Nehra and Harbhajan, and Lara among the runs again, 47 of them, much needed at the time with Chanderpaul's valiant fifty, the team were cut short by 37 runs in the end.
The awe inspiring victory at The Oval
Recently, when England needed about 35 runs on the final day but with 4 wickets in hand, all hope was lost but not from the end of India's Test side who fought back valiantly, first removing Jamie Smith, the top man from the English side, soon after which, Overton was sent packing.
In the end, with not just the match, but the very series on the line, England lost Gus Atkinson to a pitch perfect seeming delivery that was bowled just short of the yorker length by the man of the moment - Mohd. Siraj.
At the other end, Prasidh Krishna had kept the pressure all this while in playing excellent fiddle to Siraj, who didn't need anyone, not even Bumrah to ace it on his own for his country.
A game was won, a series drawn, fans earned, respect multiplied and in the end, Test cricket thrived, thanks to the Shubman Gill-led India's valiant 6-run win at The Oval. A win for the ages.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which was India's lowest margin of win in Tests in terms of runs vs the West Indies?
Back in the year 2002, during Dravid and Sehwag's time, India overcame the Windies in Trinidad by 37 runs.
How many times has India beaten Australia in Tests by the narrowest margin of runs?
Twice, once in 2004 and the other time in 2018, India beat Australia by 13 and 31 runs, repectively, in Test cricket.
