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India’s Biggest T20I Defeats by Runs now has a new entry at the very top of the list after England crushed India by 125 runs in the third T20I at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The defeat is officially India’s heaviest loss by runs in T20I history and marks an unwanted milestone for the team.
Here’s how this record-breaking setback compares with the other biggest defeats India have suffered in the shortest format.
India’s Biggest T20I Defeats by Runs: Scorecards And Captains
| Match | Result | India Captain | Opposition Captain |
|---|---|---|---|
| England vs India, Trent Bridge, 2026 | ENG 201/7 beat IND 76, won by 125 runs | Shreyas Iyer | Harry Brook |
| New Zealand vs India, Wellington, 2019 | NZ 219/6 beat IND 139, won by 80 runs | Rohit Sharma | Kane Williamson |
| South Africa vs India, Ahmedabad, 2026 (T20 World Cup) | SA 187/7 beat IND 111, won by 76 runs | Suryakumar Yadav | Aiden Markram |
| South Africa vs India, Chandigarh, 2025 | SA 213/4 beat IND 162, won by 51 runs | Suryakumar Yadav | Aiden Markram |
| New Zealand vs India, Visakhapatnam, 2026 | NZ 215/7 beat IND 165, won by 50 runs | Suryakumar Yadav | Mitchell Santner |
Rohit Sharma was rested for the entire T20I leg of that 2019 New Zealand tour, with Virat Kohli also absent, which is why Rohit led the side in Wellington. Suryakumar Yadav captained India through most of 2025 and into the 2026 T20 World Cup, before Shreyas Iyer took over the role in June 2026 ahead of the tours of Ireland and England, meaning the Trent Bridge defeat is already India’s heaviest T20I loss under a brand new captain.
The Trent Bridge Collapse
England posted 201 for 7 batting first, with Phil Salt leading the way on 70 off 44 balls and Sam Curran finishing unbeaten on 41. Jos Buttler chipped in with 36. India’s lone bright spot with the ball was debutant Prince Yadav, who picked up two wickets.
India’s response was a genuine collapse. The batting fell apart completely, and the innings folded for just 76 runs in only 11.4 overs, narrowly avoiding the lowest T20I total in the team’s history. Josh Tongue was the destroyer in chief with four wickets, while Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid shared five between them. The result handed England a 2-0 series lead with two matches still to play.
Where This Ranks Among India’s Worst T20I Losses
2. Lost by 80 runs to New Zealand, Wellington, 2019
New Zealand posted 219 for 6 behind Tim Seifert’s 84 and quick contributions from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. Shikhar Dhawan gave India a decent start in the chase, but regular wickets fell against the pace of Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson and the control of Mitchell Santner, and India never got close.
3. Lost by 76 runs to South Africa, Ahmedabad, 2026
This one ended India’s unbeaten run at this year’s T20 World Cup. South Africa recovered from early wickets through Dewald Brevis, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs to post 187 for 7. India’s top order fell apart cheaply, and only a fighting 42 from Shivam Dube offered any real resistance as India were bowled out for 111.
4. Lost by 51 runs to South Africa, Chandigarh, 2025
Quinton de Kock smashed 90 to power South Africa to 213 for 4. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya kept India in touch for a while, but the innings fell apart late, losing the last five wickets for just five runs to finish at 162.
5. Lost by 50 runs to New Zealand, Visakhapatnam, 2026
New Zealand posted 215 for 7 on the back of a flying start from Tim Seifert and Devon Conway. Shivam Dube produced a brilliant 65 off just 23 balls to keep India’s chase alive, but Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi struck at the right moments and India fell short at 165.
Gambhir Under Fire As Fans Demand Samson’s Return
The scale of this latest defeat has set off a genuine storm back home. Former captain and head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing heavy public criticism, with fans openly calling for Sanju Samson to be recalled to the playing XI after his exclusion from the England tour. Gambhir has since issued a public statement addressing Samson’s position in the squad, though the pressure on India’s team management shows no sign of easing with two matches of this series still to come.
What is India’s biggest defeat by runs in T20I cricket?
India’s biggest defeat by runs in T20I cricket came against England at Trent Bridge in July 2026, when India lost by 125 runs.
What was India’s score against England at Trent Bridge?
India were bowled out for just 76 in 11.4 overs while chasing 202.
Who captained India during the 125-run defeat?
Shreyas Iyer captained India during the record defeat against England.