The 1888 Lord's Test had the most wickets in a single day

On July 17, 1888, during the first Test of Australia's tour to England, 27 wickets fell. Since then, 35 times in Test cricket, 20 or more wickets have fallen in a single day. The Cape Town Test in 2024 between hosts South Africa and India was the 13th time the feat occurred on the opening day of a Test match.
The 2018 Bengaluru Test between India and Afghanistan retains the modern-day record for the most wickets in a day in Test cricket. On Day 2 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, 24 wickets were lost. Learn about the Test cricket matches with the most wickets in a day in test cricket.

India were bowled out for 153 in their first innings on the first day of the second Test against South Africa on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Newlands Stadium in Capetown, when Prasidh Krishna edged one to slip and was caught neatly.
This was the 35th time in Test cricket history that 20 or more wickets fell in a single day, and the 13th time it happened on Day 1 of a Test match. The first session saw 10 wickets fall, the second four, and the third nine. India lost their final six wickets without scoring a single run, a world record. according to commentators during the game. The Indian dressing room was so bewildered that the Indian coaches began taking notes after each wicket fell, and the wickets simply kept dropping. 

Most wickets in a day in test cricket

England vs. Australia, Lord's Test, 1888, 27 wickets

On the second day of an 1888 Lord's Test between England and Australia, as many as 27 wickets fell. After resuming at 18/3 on Day 2, Allan Steel's England were bowled out for 53 runs in 50 overs. In their second inning, the hosts bowled Australia out for 60 in 29.2 overs. England were skittled out for 62 in 47 overs when chasing 124 in the fourth inning, as the visitors won the Lord's Test by 61 runs. Australia had earlier scored 116 in their first inning, led by Percy McDonnell. Despite losing the first Test, England went on to win the following two games to win the three-match series 2-1.

Australia vs. England, Melbourne Test, 1902 | 25 wickets

Second on the list is another Ashes Test between Australia and England. During England's tour to Australia in January 1902, 25 wickets fell on the first day of the second Test at Melbourne. England, having chosen to field first, dismissed Australia for 112 in 32.1 overs in their first innings. Later, Australia's Joe Darling-led team came back to dismiss the visitors for 61 runs in 15.4 overs. At stumps on Day 1, Archie MacLaren-led England had quickly reduced Australia to 48/5. The hosts scored 353 runs in the second inning, led by Reggie Duff's 104 and Clem Hill's 99. The visitors were bowled out for 175 in their second inning while chasing 405, as Australia won the Test by a whopping 229 runs.