Lost after enforcing a follow-on: Instances when a team has lost after enforcing follow-on in a Test

Lost after enforcing a follow-on: Instances when a team has lost after enforcing follow-on in a Test originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Instances when a team has lost after enforcing follow-on in a Test
• India enforced follow-on against Sri Lanka in the 2nd Test at Colombo
• Only four teams in history have lost after enforcing follow-on in a Test match

India favourites to win 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka after enforcing follow-on

Shubman Gill-led Team India are on the cusp of a win in the second and final Test match of the series against Sri Lanka in Colombo as the hosts have managed to just about clear their deficit from the first innings and taken a lead of 16 runs at the end of Day 4.

While the home side did take the lead, they have already lost six wickets and now need a miracle or a marvellous partnership for the sixth wicket to save the Test match.

Riding on Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel's centuries, India declared at 503 in the first innings. They then bowled out Sri Lanka for 290 runs and enforced a follow-on. While there was scepticism among a section of fans, the Indian bowlers have done their job well to justify Gill's decision.

Although India are unlikely to lose this match from this situation, there have been some instances in the past where a team has lost a Test match after enforcing a follow-on.

MORE: India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Day 4 live score, weather report, toss, winning probability, result and highlights

Instances when a team has lost after enforcing a follow-on in a TestAustralia vs England | Sydney | 1894 - Australia lost

In the first Test match of England's tour of Australia in Sydney, the hosts posted a massive total of 586 runs in the first innings and then bowled out England for 325.

England, however, bounced back after being asked to follow-on as they scored 437 runs in the second innings and took a lead of 176 runs. The hosts were then bowled out for 166 runs in the final innnings of the match.

Australia vs England | Leeds | 1981 - Australia lost

In the third Test match of Australia's tour of England in Leeds, the visitors declared after scoring 401 runs in the first innings and then bowled out England for 174.

England, however, bounced back after being asked to follow on as they scored 356 runs in the second innings and took a lead of 129 runs. The visitors were then bowled out for only 111 runs in the final innings of the match.

MORE: Free hit to solve no-ball problem: Bahutule suggests change in Test rules

India vs Australia | Kolkata | 2001 - Australia lost

The historic Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata saw the mighty Australian side of Steve Waugh visiting India for a three-match Test. Australia were in red-hot form ahead of the match and batting first, Waugh's men posted 445 runs on the board and then bowled out the hosts for 171.

High on confidence, Waugh asked India to follow on, but the decision proved to be a historic mistake as India posted 657 runs in their innings, riding on VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid's iconic partnership. Harbhajan Singh's wizardry with the ball then bowled Australia out for 212. 

Getty ImagesNew Zealand vs England | Wellington | 2023 - England lost

In the second Test of England's tour of New Zealand at Wellington in 2023, England declared their first innings for 435 runs and then bowled out the hosts for just 209.

After enforcing a follow-on, the Black Caps went on to score 483 runs and then bowled England out for 256 runs and then clinched the game by one-run. 

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