The cricketing relations between India and England date back to pre-independence days. The English, who ruled India, brought cricket to the country.
And we Indians fell in love with the sport. So much so that we now dominate world cricket.
Who would’ve thought India would reach this height after their first Test match in 1932? And who did they face in the first match? None other than England.
Since then, both teams have engaged in a cat-and-mouse game in Test cricket. This article will glance at the century-old Test cricket between India and England.
England’s Early Dominance
While India are the powerhouse now, that wasn’t the case in their early days. Being the purists, England kept the upper hand over India.
From 1932 to 1959, India lost one series after another against England. Not just that, they also found it hard to beat the Englishmen in Test matches.
A Test victory in Chennai in 1952 saw India defeat England for the first time. This also helped India break England’s four-series win streak, only to lose back-to-back series in England in 1952 and 1959.
India’s Fight Back in the 1960s and Early 1970s
The 1960s and early 1970s saw India fight back against the English. This period marked India’s first series victories against England at home and on English soil.
England toured India in 1961/62. The five-match series was 0-0 after the third Test. And guess what?
India stunned the visitors with consecutive wins in Kolkata and Chennai to script their first series triumph against England on home soil.
Then a draw and a series defeat followed in 1963/64 and 1967. But in the early 1970s, India bounced back.
They managed their first series win in England in 1971, followed by a 2-1 triumph in 1972/73 at home.
England Regain Control for Two Decades
India’s run didn’t last long. The Englishmen regained control in the mid-1970s and stretched their dominance for more than two decades.
England won seven of the 10 series contested in this period! They outclassed India on all levels. That’s complete domination.
Amidst all the chaos, India pulled off their second series victory in England in 1986. And added two series wins at home, almost 10 years apart.
India’s Resurgence in the 2000s
At the turn of the 21st century, India staged a powerful comeback. They didn’t lose a single series against England in the 2010s. Not even in England!
Rather, the Indian men secured their third series triumph on English soil. And won two home series at home in 2001 and 2008.
While there were two drawn series in between, India fought neck-to-neck against England.
England Humiliate India in the Early 2010s
If the 2000s were sweet for India, the early 2010s brought a bitter taste. England went on to humiliate India between 2011 and 2014.
The hammering started in 2011. India toured England for a four-Test series and returned with a complete whitewash.
In 2012, England made inroads in India. They handed a 2-1 series defeat to the hosts, rubbing salt in their wounds.
Then came the final nail in the coffin in 2014. India conceded another series loss in England.
India in the Driver’s Seat since 2016
India kept aside the horrors of the early 2010s and took charge of things. It started with a convincing home series win in 2016.
While India lost the 2018 series in England, they showed their changed mindset. Since then, India have had the edge over the Englishmen.
With two series wins at home, they have kept England at bay. In between, a dramatic draw unfolded across 2021 and 2022. India were close to a series triumph but fell short by a small distance.
Nevertheless, the series showed a great level of competitiveness between India and England in Test cricket.
Final Words
As we inch closer to 100 years of India vs England in Test cricket, we can expect the competition to further go up from here. And the upcoming talents from both countries will carry forward this legacy.
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