India and England are two competitive teams in Test cricket. And they share a great history between them.
While India took a lot of time to get in the groove of the format, they are a much better side now. England, being the founder, have been superior at it.
Now, imagine both sides clash against each other. It would be box office, wouldn’t it?
And we have seen some box office stuff from these two teams in the past. Here are five more memorable Test matches between India and England.
India Won by 7 Wickets | Nottingham, 2007
It’s not often India dominate England at their home ground. Sure, the picture has changed since 2018. But the scenario was a little different a few years ago.
Despite that, India showed a lot of fight on their 2007 tour in England. And their resolute fight resulted in one of the memorable wins on English soil.
After winning the toss, Rahul Dravid put the hosts in to bat first. The result? England were all out for 198.
The pace-spin duo of Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble accounted for seven dismissals. Zaheer, in particular, played a major role in keeping England’s top order quiet.
In response, India put up 481 runs on the board. Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 91, while four others got their fifties.
England replied well, riding on the back of captain Michael Vaughan’s century. But Zaheer pierced through half the side to bundle them for 355.
India then had the easy task of chasing 73 runs, which they did so with seven wickets to spare. The win in Nottingham gave India a 1-0 lead, which they maintained to seal a series win.
India Won by 95 Runs | Lord’s, 2014
A Test win at Lord’s is very special. And India’s 2014 victory was all the way more special.
The match had everything. Super batting performances, a fine bowling display by Indian pacers, and the lower-order fight. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, in particular, did the heavy lifting, both with the ball and bat.
After being put in to bat first, India managed 295 despite a hundred from Ajinkya Rahane. The tailenders chipped in with 67 runs, which later proved crucial.
England, in response, had a shaky start. But a ton from Gary Ballance saw them eke out a small lead of 24 runs. Bhuvi starred with the ball, returning figures of 6 for 82.
India came out well prepared. Murali Vijay was the torchbearer as the middle order flopped. He fell on 95, leaving India on 235 for 7. It seemed India would fold soon.
But a gritty 99-run stand between Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvi lifted India’s spirits. And so their chances of winning.
With 319 runs to chase, England had a horrible start. Then their top order tried to show some resistance.
But Ishant Sharma had other plans. He bowled a barrage of bouncers to dismiss seven batters. Sharma’s spell turned the Test in India’s favour, as they beat the hosts by 95 runs.
England Won by 10 Wickets | Wankhede (Mumbai), 2012
Beating India in India is a tough job. England knew this pretty well before their 2012 tour started. And they also got a taste of it when they lost the first Test in Ahmedabad.
As usual, India looked clear favourites to win the series. But a twist was in store for them in Mumbai.
India decided to bat first and put up 327 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara did the bulk of the run-scoring with a 135-run knock.
In reply, England came out strong. While they couldn’t get an optimal start, captain Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen paired up for a 206-run stand.
The partnership turned out to be a game-changer for England. Both brought up their centuries, with Pietersen’s 186 powering the visitors to 413 runs.
England carved out an 86-run lead. Although the lead wasn’t big, it proved just enough.
Except for Gautam Gambhir, no Indian batter showed resistance on the spin-friendly track. Monty Panesar picked up six scalps, while Graeme Swann snared four wickets.
And England were set up for an easy chase of 57 runs. Their openers dashed off the target within 10 overs to level the series 1-1. England later clinched a historic series victory.
India Won by 6 Wickets | Chennai, 2008
The 2008 series took place a couple of weeks after the heinous terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The country was at its lowest in spirits. But a comprehensive win in Chennai boosted the morale.
England walked out to bat first. Andrew Strauss and Cook provided a solid start with a 118-run stand for the first wicket.
After Cook’s departure, England suffered regular blows. But Strauss didn’t budge and brought up a ton. A late fifty from Matt Prior pushed England’s total to 316.
India, in response, didn’t get the desired start. Although the middle order showed some fight, India were all out on 241.
England’s bowling attack worked collectively to secure a 75-run lead. The visitors capitalised on the lead and added 311 runs to set a 387-run target. Strauss smashed yet another hundred, while Paul Collingwood scored one with his bat.
No team had chased a 300-plus target in India. So England looked favourites to win the Test.
But India’s top order dashed away their hopes with a gutsy batting display. Virender Sehwag provided a quick start, which proved to be the point of difference.
Gambhir built on quietly as India lost Rahul Dravid cheaply, while VVS Laxman contributed 26 runs. But then Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh took up the matter in their own hands.
The duo put up a match-winning partnership of 163 runs to seal an emotional win for India. Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 103, while Yuvraj scored 85 not out.
India Won by 151 Runs | Lord’s, 2021
Lord’s is yet again on the list. And why not? India perhaps secured a bold victory at this iconic venue in 2021.
England put India into bat after the toss went their way. And India made the most of it.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul showed brilliance against the new ball to build a 126-run stand. While Sharma fell after a well-made 83, Rahul continued the attack to bring up 129.
Some crucial contributions from Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja saw India put up 364 runs on board. England, in response, just about managed to take a 27-run lead. And it was all thanks to Joe Root’s captain’s knock of 180 not out.
India’s second essay had a dodgy start. They lost both openers within 30 runs before Kohli left on 55.
Then Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane put up a 100-run stand to revive India. But they faced three setbacks in 20 runs to leave India at 175 for 6.
Then the tailenders stepped up. Ishant Sharma added 16 runs, while Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah stayed unbeaten on 56 and 34, respectively.
As India reached 298, a bold declaration followed. England now needed to chase 272 runs in 60 overs.
What followed was pure drama. The Indian pace attack turned Lord’s into hell. They didn’t let the England batters settle, striking regular blows.
In the end, the hosts folded for 120, as India scooped a memorable 151-run victory at the Home of Cricket. Mohammad Siraj was the main factor across both innings with his eight dismissals.
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