Revisiting India's tour of England 2021: A thrilling 2–2 draw

India last won a Test series in England in 2007 under the leadership of Rahul Dravid. They won the first Test at Nottingham, while the next two Tests resulted in draws. That was just the third time India won a Test series in England in Test cricket history. India last toured England for a Test series in 2021 under the leadership of Virat Kohli. India started the series strongly and two wins in four Tests raised hopes of a series win but fate had other plans. The 2021 series ended 2-2 after the rescheduled 5th Test was played in 2022.

Here's a look in detail how India's tour of England 2021-22 transpired: 

1. First Test: 4th to 8th August 2021, Nottingham: Draw 

A spirited bowling performance led by Jasprit Bumrah had England bundled out for just 183 runs in the first innings. The wicket had plenty of assistance but Jasprit Bumrah and Shami ran through England’s batting. Bumrah picked a five-for, while Shami picked up three wickets. In reply, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma provided just the start India needed. The duo put on a 97-run opening partnership and put the opposition under pressure. However, England fought back, picking quick wickets once that partnership was broken. KL Rahul’s exceptional 84 and Jadeja’s 56 still helped the team reach 278 in their first essay, thus taking a significant lead. 

It was, once again, Joe Root, who came to the team’s rescue in their second innings. He produced a superb knock of 109 off 107, helping the team reach 303. Still, the target was 209, which looked quite chasable with the wicket getting easier to bat. On the final day of the Test, 157 runs more were required with nine wickets in hand. However, rain washed out the entire day - no play was possible at all on Day 5.

2. Second Test: 12th to 16th August 2021, Lord’s: India won by 151 runs 

India carried their fine performance onto the next Test, which took place at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. KL Rahul bettered his performance as he etched his name on the Lord’s honor board with an outstanding hundred.  

A 129-run knock off 250 balls from KL Rahul meant India posted a formidable score of 364 in the first innings. The foundation was led by a 126-run opening partnership between Rahul and Rohit. Later, Kohli (40), Pant (37) and Jadeja (40) also chipped in with valuable contributions. 

Mohammed Siraj got two early wickets for India but Root and Rory Burns steadied the ship, thereafter. Siraj eventually had the latter to pick his third but Root was unstoppable and India’s biggest roadblock. Along with Bairstow, Root put on a hundred-run partnership for the fourth wicket, taking his team closer to the first-innings score. It was Siraj, once again, who broke that partnership and helped India find the crucial breakthrough. 

Ishant Sharma then chipped in with three wickets in short intervals but Root’s unbeaten knock of 180 off 321 balls meant England posted 391 in the second innings. Bumrah, on one of the rare occasions, went wicketless. In India's second innings, both KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma got out early. Crucial knocks from Rahane (45) and Pujara (61) gave India some confidence but neither of the two could go on to score a big one. 

By the end of the fifth day, India were 154 runs ahead with just four wickets remaining. Pant was dismissed early on the final day of the Test and India were just 167 ahead with three wickets left. However, England wouldn’t have imagined in their wildest dreams what was to follow. Shami and Bumrah threw their bats all around and added 89 runs for the ninth wicket. India, in fact, declared their innings at 298 for 8shortly after Lunch on day 5, setting a target of 272 runs. 

Sensing an opportunity to win, the Indian bowling attack came out all guns firing. Jasprit Bumrah and Shami sent both openers back with just one run on the board. Ishant then had Hameed leg-before to leave the hosts tottering at 44 for 3. Root (33) and Bairstow’s (25) resistance didn’t last long, either as England were bundled out for just 120, marking a famous win for India at Lord’s. 

3. Third Test: 25th- 28th August 2021, Headingley: England won by an innings and 76 runs 

England came roaring back in the third Test as they handed the visitors an innings defeat. India were bowled out for just 78 runs in the first innings of the Test match with Rohit Sharma top-scoring with a score of 19. The fans witnessed another Joe Root special in the second innings as his 129-run knock powered his team to a 432-run total. 

The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara (91), Virat (55), and Rohit (59) scored respective half-centuries but India could only manage 278 in their second innings, thereby losing the Test by an innings and 76 runs. Ollie Robinson starred with the ball as he picked up seven wickets in the match, while Craig Overton claimed six. 

4. Fourth Test: 2nd to 6th September 2021, Kennington Oval, London: India won by 157 runs  

India succumbed to an outstanding bowling display with the new ball on day 1 as their innings was wrapped up on 191. Virat Kohli was the only batter in the top order who could show some resistance. He made 50 off 96, while a counter-attacking 57 from Shardul helped India reach a reasonable score. In reply, India sent half of England’s batting unit back to the pavilion for just 62 on the board.

However, their batting depth helped them reach 290 and take a 99-run lead. Ollie Pope played a fighting knock of 81 off 159 balls, while Chris Woakes scored a half-century after picking up a four-wicket haul, earlier. India needed a strong start in their second innings to win the Test match. After a few modest outings, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma gave India a strong start. An 83-run partnership meant that nearly erased the first-innings deficit. KL Rahul got out for 46 but Rohit Sharma stayed locked-in. Along with Pujara, Rohit Sharma built the innings and went on to hit his first overseas Test hundred.

His 127 off 256 balls helped India pile up a mammoth score of 466. Handy contributions also came from Cheteshwar Pujara (61), Kohli (44), Pant (50), and Thakur (60). England were set a target of 368 and India could sense another victory in the series. Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed produced a solid fight. They batted for 40 overs and had put on a 100-run opening partnership before Shardul Thakur finally got the breakthrough. That breakthrough opened the floodgates for India, triggering a flurry of wickets. Wickets fell in short intervals, thereafter, and England were bowled out for 210. 

5. Fifth Test: 1st July to 5th July 2022, Birmingham: England won by 7 wickets  

The fifth Test of India's 2021 tour of England, originally scheduled for Old Trafford in Manchester, was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns in the Indian camp. The match was rescheduled and played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from July 1 to 5, 2022. The postponement meant England came into the fifth Test with great form, chasing down sizable targets in their last three games. The fifth Test of the series saw England register their highest successful chase in Test cricket’s history. 

On the final day of the Test, England needed 119 runs to win the game, while India needed seven wickets. India couldn’t break the partnership as Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root hunted down the target in 76.4 overs. Joe Root produced another scintillating knock of 142 off 173, while Jonny Bairstow amassed 114 off 145. Earlier, Rishabh Pant and Jadeja hit respective centuries to help India score a mammoth 416 in the first innings. 

In response, England were bowled out for 284 but produced a fine bowling performance to bundle out India for 245 in their second innings. India, though, still looked favourites but Root and Bairstow denied them a win as the series ended 2-2. KL