India will aim for a repeat of a 20-year-old feat when they step out to defend a 107-run target against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.
After being skittled to 46, their lowest total at home, and conceding a 356-run first-innings lead, India fought back valiantly to set a 107-run target for the Kiwis, riding on the back of Sarfaraz Khan’s 150 and Rishabh Pant’s 99.
With the match heading into Day 5 and rain threatening to play spoilsport, India are staring at a first Test defeat to New Zealand since 1988 while also having a shot at the joint-lowest Test total defended by them since 2004.
India had scripted a fairytale victory over Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai after setting a 107-run target on a rank-turner. The Australians were bundled for 93, helping India to a dramatic 13-run win. It remains as the third-lowest target successfully defended in Test history.
The overall record is held by Australia, having defended an 85-run target against England all the way back in 1882 at the Oval, in only the ninth Test match in history.
| Target Defended | Batting Team (All out score) | Bowling Team | VENUE | YEAR |
| 85 | England (77) | Australia | The Oval | 1882 |
| 99 | Zimbabwe (63) | West Indies | Port of Spain | 2000 |
| 107 | Australia (93) | India | Wankhede | 2004 |
| 111 | Australia (97) | England | Sydney | 1887 |
| 111 | Australia (44) | England | The Oval | 1896 |
| 117 | Australia (111) | South Africa | Sydney | 1994 |
| 120 | India (81) | West Indies | Bridgetown | 1997 |
| 124 | England (62) | Australia | Lord’s | 1888 |
| 124 | England (120) | Australia | Manchester | 1902 |
| 124 | Australia (104) | England | The Oval | 1997 |
