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Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
India Test record in England: Most runs, highest wickets, win-loss record ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 series
India will look to change a skewed record in England when the Shubman Gill side finishes the gruelling five-match Test series, which started with the Headingley Test on Friday. In the 69 Tests played on England's soil, India have won only nine Tests. Out of those 69 Tests, 67 were against England while the remaining two were against New Zealand and Australia — the two World Test Championship finals, which also went the opposition's way. The Indian side has only won three series in England. The first one came under Ajit Wadekar in 1971, when India beat England 1-0 in the three-match Test series. In 1986, India handed England a 2-0 defeat in a three-match series under Kapil before winning their last series on England's soil in 2007 under Rahul Dravid. Among Indians, Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-getter in England. In 30 innings of 17 matches, the batting maestro has scored 1575 runs, averaging 54.31. His four centuries put him joint-second on the list of Indians with most tons in England alongside Dilip Vengsarkar, both behind Rahul Dravid. Dravid has six hundreds to his name, and his 1376 runs tally in just 13 Tests puts him behind Tendulkar in the most runs list. He also averages an astonishing 68.8 in England, while his batting partner, Sourav Ganguly, also holds a supreme record on England's soil. In just nine Tests, Ganguly has struck three centuries and scored 915 runs at an average of 65.35. Only three batters, Tendulkar, Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar have scored 1000-plus runs in England. Among Indian bowlers, Ishant Sharma is the top wicket-taker in England. The lanky pacer from Delhi has picked 48 scalps from 14 Tests with a best bowling figure of 7 for 74. In second place, legendary all-rounder and World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev sits with 43 wickets. Among active cricketers, only Jasprit Bumrah made it into the list and is placed third on the list of most wickets with 37 scalps in just eight Tests.
Mint
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Mint
IND vs ENG: How June 20 connects Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly & Sai Sudharsan? Why this date is so special?
The date June 20 holds a very special place in the history of Indian cricket. It got a special addition on the same date in 2025 when Sai Sudharsan was handed his maiden India Test debut by none other than Cheteshwar Pujara at Headingly in Leeds on first on the eve of the first Test of the five-match series against England. But what's so special with this date? It was on June 20, the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli made their Test debuts. While Ganguly and Dravid were handed their first India Test caps in England in 1996 in the same Test, Kohli got off to the mark in red-ball cricket in West Indies in the year 2011. With the team undergoing changes in the 1996, Ganguly and Dravid were handed their debut Test caps at Lord's. What followed was nonetheless legendary stuff from the duo. While Ganguly scored a majestic debut Test hundred while opening the batting, Dravid missed the three-figure mark by just five runs. Later on the duo went on to become India captains. While India won the Natwest Trophy under Ganguly in 2002, Dravid led India to their third-ever Test series win against England on England soil in 2007. Ganguly was also a part of that Indian side. Kohli's debut came four years later in 2011 in the Caribbean.
India Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
OTD: Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly make Test debuts for India
June 20 holds a special place in Indian cricket history, marking the Test debuts of three players who would go on to become giants of the game — Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli. Though they started in different years and under varying circumstances, each of them left a lasting impact on Indian 1996, India were on tour in England and arrived at Lord's for the second Test of the series. With the team undergoing changes, Ganguly and Dravid were handed their Test caps. What followed became the stuff of legend. Ganguly, batting at No. 3, scored a majestic 131 on debut, announcing himself in style at the Home of Cricket. His cover drives and confidence under pressure stood out the other end, Dravid, who came in at No. 7, compiled a solid 95 before falling just short of a debut century. While Ganguly's innings was more flamboyant, Dravid's knock was marked by grit and classical technique — qualities that would define his career. That Test marked the start of two outstanding journeys, with both players becoming the backbone of India's middle order for years to come. Fifteen years later, on the same date in 2011, a young Virat Kohli made his Test debut against the West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston. Fresh off India's World Cup triumph earlier that year, expectations were high. However, Kohli endured a difficult start, scoring 4 and 15 in his two innings. The challenge of red-ball cricket proved a steep learning that modest beginning, Kohli quickly adapted to the demands of the format. He went on to become one of India's most prolific Test batsmen and a successful captain, leading the side to memorable victories both at home and abroad. Kohli retired as India's most successful Test captain. The former skipper amassed an impressive 9,230 runs from 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and played his final match earlier this year against Australia at the Sydney Cricket 20 may be just another date on the calendar, but for Indian cricket, it marks the beginning of three remarkable Test careers. Ganguly, Dravid and Kohli — each in their own way — reshaped the team and inspired a new generation. Their debuts may have been separated by years, but their legacies remain firmly intertwined in the fabric of Indian cricket. You May Also Like
Mint
5 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
IND vs ENG: Looking back at India's Test series win in England in 2007
India's last Test series win against England came in 2007, under Rahul Dravid's captaincy. They had a team manager in past great Chandu Borde, but no coach. Dravid and the senior players around him - Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly - shepherded the others. Cricket was different then. No country had a T20 league of its own for starters, which meant a bit more breathing room in the calendar. That year, India's first Test against England began on July 19, but the squad was in the United Kingdom since a month before. In the current calendar, having one month playing competitive games in the country you're touring is a pipe dream. India began with a one-off ODI against Ireland, then played a three-match ODI series against South Africa, again in Ireland. There was to be a one-off ODI against Pakistan too, but that got rained out. They then had two warm-up matches, a four-day fixture against Sussex and a three-day one against England Lions. In that Lions side, all eleven players went on to represent England, and some had glittering careers. There was Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott, Adil Rashid and Stuart Broad among them. So the Indian team that played the three-Test series was properly tuned up. They could get used to playing in colder weather and all the adjustments it needed. They got used to an English summer day's rhythms, their body clocks had time to adjust thoroughly to not just being in a different time-zone, but playing and travelling in it. India hung on to draw the game by the skin of their teeth, finishing 282 for 9 in the fourth innings while chasing a target of 380. This was among MS Dhoni's less-remembered doughty Test knocks. None of Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman or Ganguly passed fifty, while Dhoni ended on 76 not out from 159 balls. India still needed a bit of a helping hand, with rain washing away the last session of the game. However, Dhoni played the leading hand in India surviving 96 overs in the fourth innings in difficult conditions. India were driven by Zaheer Khan's pace, hostility and fire. Zaheer was at the start of a four-year run where he would be quite irresistible across conditions, and he took nine wickets in the game. Zaheer's incisiveness was partly driven by England's gamesmanship. When he was batting, England's fielders kept putting jelly beans near the crease. It was a juvenile prank, meant to be a dig at Zaheer's supposed lack of fitness. Instead, it incensed him. It helped that Zaheer was in great physical condition too. He bowled with venom and remarkable control of swing and seam, to skittle England out, as India chased down a fourth-innings target of 73 with seven wickets in hand. A draw, but a memorable one, because of Anil Kumble. He was decent with the ball, but this time, it was Kumble's batting that won India the series. Kumble hit 110 not out from No.8, his only Test century. The landmark was welcomed by jubilant cheers from the Indian camp, with everyone sharing in the joy of one of their greatest warriors. It was also the only century scored by an Indian batter in the whole series. India made 664, and England were bowled out for 345. The pitch had no demons, so Dravid opted to bat again. Set a target of 500, England hung on, batting out 110 overs in the fourth innings. India dominated one drawn Test, while England dominated another. And India won the middle Test to be worthy series winners. This was a victory fashioned by a team full of senior, experienced players. We didn't know it then, but it was also to be Dravid's last time as captain, with the batter giving up the job after a two-year stint. It was fashioned without a coach. Nearly everything about the current Indian team is at the opposite end of the spectrum. There isn't a group of experienced senior players, the captain is leading for the first time, and they have a coach who has a big presence. However, what could work for them is what worked above all for the 2007 team: every player contributed with crucial runs or wickets at various times. When India needed someone to step up, they always found someone who would. In the end, the 2007 victory was truly a team effort. If the 2025 group can emulate that, then they can add a glorious chapter to India's history in England.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Zaheer Khan irate after his exceptional skills rubbished, makes England pay; Rahul Dravid ends India's 21-year wait
Since their 2-0 victory under Kapil Dev in 1986, India had won just one of the next ten Tests in England before Rahul Dravid led his troops out, 21 years later, for what would turn out to be his final series in charge. The series marked the introduction of the Pataudi Trophy to celebrate the contributions of Iftikhar and his son Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi to cricket in the two countries, so there was an added incentive for both sides, if that was needed. India were saved by the weather at Lord's in the first Test, last pair Mahendra Singh Dhoni and No. 11 S Sreesanth negotiating 30 deliveries, with a little help from umpire Steve Bucknor, when the notorious English rain arrived to deny a hosts a comprehensive victory. Over to Nottingham for the second match of the three-Test series, a venue where India had never won a Test. Some 13 and a half months previously, Dravid had led India to their first series victory in the West Indies since Ajit Wadekar in 1971. In December 2006, he had also masterminded India's first Test win in South Africa, so the expectations that he would emulate Wadekar and lead India to a West Indies-England double were high. Also Read: Shardul Thakur, Rohit Sharma stun England, India win by 157 runs - The best of India in England Part 5 With a rejuvenated Zaheer Khan leading the way, India's pacers had justified Dravid's decision to put England in by rolling them over for 198 at Trent Bridge. Having lost his place in the side, the left-arm quick had turned to the English County Championship to revive his career, picking up 78 wickets for Worcestershire in the 2006 season. Making the most of that experience which enabled him to bowl the optimal lines and lengths, Zaheer took four for 49 while old warhorse Anil Kumble complemented him with three wickets to send England spiralling to a sub-par score. India had a strong and established middle-order core that built superbly on an opening stand of 147 between Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik, playing as a specialist batter. Half-centuries from Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman pulled them well into the ascendancy and when Zaheer walked in at No. 9, India were well ahead of the game at 464 for seven. Zaheer was shocked to find a few jellybeans scattered near the stumps when he was about to take guard, a not-so-subtle suggestion from England that he had used illegitimate means to 'make' the ball in the first innings. England ought to have known better than to poke the beast; Zaheer didn't take kindly to the slight, irate that his exceptional skills were being rubbished by an opposition that had no answer to his craft. Before he was dropped ahead of the tour of the West Indies in 2006, Zaheer had just 121 wickets from 42 Tests at an average of 36.34. Post the county stint, he was a bowler transformed; his last 50 Tests brought him 190 wickets, average 30.78. He took a wicket nine balls faster in his period than in the first phase. Clearly, by the time of the series in England in 2007, he was close to the peak of his prowess. Also Read: '60 overs of hell' for England after a KL Rahul masterclass - The best of India in England Part 4 Despite trailing by 283 runs, England gave a good account of themselves in the second innings, shored up by skipper Michael Vaughan's 124 from No. 3. Through useful hands around him from the top order, the hosts had reached 287 for three when Zaheer produced a burst for the ages with the second new ball. Vaughan played a flick on to his pad and then the stumps and Ian Bell fell two balls later, trapped in front by a ball that angled in from wide of the stumps. Paul Collingwood, smartly caught by Karthik at first slip, became Zaheer's fifth victim of the innings and ninth of the match, the perfect reply to a shell-shocked England whose fascination for jellybeans came back to bite them where it hurt the most. With leggie Kumble again keeping up his end of the bargain, England were bowled out for 355 late on the fourth evening, setting India a nominal target of 73. There was no indication of the drama that lay in store when Karthik and Jaffer realised 47 for the opening wicket with few alarms, when the towering Chris Tremlett triggered artificial excitement with the wickets of the openers and Tendulkar for the addition of just 15 runs. India, though, were in no danger whatsoever and Dravid and Ganguly guided them home to a seven-wicket victory. The final Test at The Oval ended in a stalemate; it was a match notable for Kumble bringing up his only Test hundred and becoming India's only centurion of the series. Dravid had followed Wadekar into the record books, and India's wait for a third series triumph in England had come to an end after more than two decades. Brief scores: England 198 all out in 65.3 overs (Alastair Cook 43, Paul Collingwood 28, Ian Bell 31; Zaheer Khan 4-49, Anil Kumble 3-32) and 355 all out in 104 overs (Andrew Strauss 55, Michael Vaughan 124, Collingwood 63, Ryan Sidebottom 25; Zaheer 5-75, RP Singh 2-52, Kumble 3-104) lost to India 481 all out in 158.5 overs (Dinesh Karthik 77, Wasim Jaffer 62, Rahul Dravid 37, Sachin Tendulkar 91, Sourav Ganguly 79, VVS Laxman 54, Kumble 30; Chris Tremlett 3-80, Monty Panesar 4-101) and 73/3 in 24.1 overs (Tremlett 3-12) by seven wickets. Player of the match: Zaheer Khan.
