Australia hit a new team total low on Asian soil, with their loss against Sri Lanka (Image credit: X/@ICC)

Decoding Australia's lowest ODI totals on Asian soil

By Pavan Thimmaiah

Feb 15, 2025

05:36 pm

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What's the story

Australia suffered a heavy 0-2 series defeat in ODIs against Sri Lanka on their 2025 tour of the nation. On Friday, February 14, 2025, the visitors hit a new low after losing to Sri Lanka by a whopping 174 runs under the captaincy of Steve Smith. Australia posted an unwanted batting record in Asia. Here we decode Australia's lowest ODI totals on Asian soil.

#1

107 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (2025)

A ton from Kusal Mendis, (101) and an unbeaten 78 from skipper Charith Asalanka saw Sri Lanka post a dominant total of 281/4 (50 overs). In response, a four-fer from Dunith Wellalage, (4/35), and three-fers from Asitha Fernando (3/23) and Wanindu Hasaranga (3/23) saw Australia get bundled out for 107 (24.2 overs). This is now Australia's lowest score in Asia, as per ESPNcricinfo.

#2

137/9 vs India, Chennai (2017)

During the rain-marred first ODI of Australia's tour of India in 2017, the hosts restricted the Aussies to just 137/9, defending a target of 164 (by DLS method). Batting first India managed 281/7, MS Dhoni (79) and Hardik Pandya's (83) fifties guided India to the total. In response, Yuzvendra Chahal's 3/30 and two wickets each from Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav reduced Australia to 137/9.

#3

139 vs India, Sharjah (1985)

In the final of the Rothmans Four-Nations Cup against India, Australia were bundled out for 139 while batting first in 42.3 overs. Ravi Shastri (2/14), Madan Lal (2/30) and Mohinder Amarnath (2/19) were the pick of the bowlers with two scalps each. Meanwhile, India chased the target in 39.2 overs (140/70, winning by three wickets and 64 balls remaining.

#4

139 vs Pakistan, Mumbai (1989)

During the seventh match of the Nehru Cup 1989 in Mumbai, Pakistan managed to fold Australia for 139, while defending a target of 206. Batting first Pakistan managed 205/8, thanks to Shoaib Mohammad's 73 off 121. Terry Alderman recorded four wickets for Australia. In response, three-fers from Imran Khan and Abdul Qadir saw Australia get bundled out for 139. Dean Jones smashed 58.