The prospect of India winning the first test against New Zealand in Mohali having scored only 83 in their first innings prompts the question "is this a record?" The short answer is no, but it would be the lowest winning first innings total in tests for almost fifty years and the lowest for a home side since 1907.

Here is a list of all lower instances in the 122-year history of test cricket. The teams listed first won the matches.

Year  Match                  Venue       Total   Batted     Result 
                                                 1st or 2nd

1887  England v Australia    Sydney       45      1st       13 runs 
1882  Australia v England    The Oval     63      1st        7 runs 
1894  England v Australia    Melbourne    75      1st       94 runs 
1950  Australia v S Africa   Durban       75      2nd        5 wkts 
1907  England v S. Africa    Leeds        76      1st       53 runs 
1935  England v W Indies     Bridgetown   81-7d   2nd        4 wkts 

England's 45 in 1887 remains their lowest ever test score, achieved after being put in by PS McDonnell, the first time a captain had made this choice after winning the toss.

Australia's victory in 1882 began the Ashes legend when The Sporting Times carried a mock obituary of English cricket.

It may seem surprising that England would have declared on such a low score in their first innings in 1935. Rain had produced a 'sticky' wicket. It was quite common for teams to declare in these conditions to get the opposition in (and out) before the sun returned the pitch to a normal state. Remarkably, West Indies also declared their second innings at 51-6, setting England only 73 to win.

Australia's fightback in 1950 was one of the great rearguard actions of test history. Their 236 run first innings deficit may be partly explained by the fact that Neil Harvey and Sam Loxton batted at nine and ten (anybody know why?). South Africa were dismissed for 99 and when Australia were 95-4 in their second innings it looked all over. Enter the genius of Neil Harvey with 151*. Supported by Loxton and McCool he saw Australia to their target of 336 with five wickets and 25 minutes to spare.

In the modern era of monitored and covered pitches an Indian victory would be a remarkable achievement.