India’s journey in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has largely been marked by memorable victories and title triumphs, but the tournament has also witnessed some painful setbacks for the Men in Blue. From unexpected group-stage exits to heavy knockout defeats, India’s biggest losses in T20 World Cups have often come in high-pressure matches. These defeats not only impacted campaigns but also triggered major transitions in team strategy and leadership.
Among the most notable setbacks is a heavy defeat against South Africa, which came in the T20 World Cup 2026. Whether measured by runs or wickets, these losses stand out as India’s biggest in T20 World Cup history, highlighting moments when opposition sides outplayed them comprehensively. Here in this article, we have revisited India’s biggest losses in T20 World Cup history.
List of India’s biggest defeats in T20 World Cup history by runs
| Opponent | Run margin | Venue | T20 World Cup Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 76 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 2026 |
| Australia | 49 | Kensington Oval, Bridgetown | 2010 |
| New Zealand | 47 | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur | 2016 |
Team India’s 3 biggest defeats by runs in T20 World Cup history
India’s 76-run loss vs South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026
On Sunday, February 22, India went down against South Africa by a 76-run margin in their Super Eight clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Winning the toss, the Proteas Men posted 187 runs on the board on the back of David Miller’s 63-run knock. In reply, they decimated India at 111/10 in 18.5 overs, thus handing them a 76-run defeat in Ahmedabad.
India’s 49-run defeat against Australia in T20 World Cup 2010
India’s biggest defeat prior to their biggest loss against South Africa came against Australia in the 2010 edition of the T20 World Cup. In their Group F match, India were completely outplayed, with Rohit Sharma and Harbhajan Singh being their only saving grace. After winning the toss, MS Dhoni-led India invited Australia to put the score first on the board. On the back of a 42-ball 72 from David Warner and a 54-run knock from Shane Watson, Australia posted 184. In return, the Aussie bowlers outclassed the Indian side, bundling them out at the score of 135. As a result, Australia won by a 49-run margin.
India’s 47-run loss vs New Zealand in Nagpur in T20 World Cup 2016
In the T20 World Cup 2016, India faced a challenging match against New Zealand in Nagpur. Despite a strong performance from the Indian bowlers, including the man of the match, Mitchell Santner, India was bowled out for 79 runs, resulting in a 47-run defeat. This loss marked a significant moment in India’s T20 World Cup history, as it was their lowest-ever total in the tournament.
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