Three greatest India vs England Tests played in England
The 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has already served up three classic Test matches, with the hosts leading by a margin of 2-1. While the name of the trophy might have changed recently, the rivalry between India and England has been as old as time.
Across the years, India and England have played out many classic Test matches, with plenty of see-saw battles that kept the crowds on the edge of their seats. India have had limited success on their tours to England, but they have also won overseas Tests and series while playing there.
Here’s a look at three of the greatest India versus England Tests in England:
1. Lord’s, 2025
Less than a fortnight ago, India and England played out a classic Test match which Nasser Hussain described as the ‘best five days of Test cricket ever.’ The battle came down to the final session of the final day, as England edged out a thriller. England batted first in the Test and scored 387 runs, with Joe Root scoring yet another Test hundred.
In reply, India ended with the exact same number in their first innings, as KL Rahul scored a century while Rishabh Pant got a fifty as well. England in their second essay stumbled and were all out for 192, with skipper Ben Stokes getting a crucial 33. India were reeling at 82/7 at one stage in their chase, as their top-order failed to contribute.
Ravindra Jadeja then stitched handy partnerships with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammad Siraj, as India batted out nearly two sessions against a tireless spell of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. However, the resistance ended with India 22 short of victory. Siraj, who turned out to be the final wicket, defended a Shoaib Bashir delivery back onto his stumps.
2. Lord’s, 2021
This was the famous ‘60 overs of hell’ match where India unleashed a pace bowling masterclass to bundle out England on the final day of the test. The memorable parts of this Test came on the final day, after India and England practically cancelled each other out after the first innings, as KL Rahul and Joe Root got centuries.
On the final morning, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami played out an entire session as they got an 89-run partnership. India then had 60 overs to dismiss England’s batters, and Bumrah produced a wicket in the very first over. Shami struck from the other end as well. The Indian pacers rattled the English batters, leaving them at 67/5, with Ishant Sharma chipping in with wickets as well. A stubborn partnership between Ollie Robinson and Jos Buttler was ended by a stunning Jasprit Bumrah slower delivery, and then Mohammad Siraj rattled the tailenders to give India a famous win at Lord’s.
3. Lord’s, 2014
The home of cricket has produced quite a few classics between India and England, over the years. 2014 was another such occasion where India produced a famous victory. Batting first, the visitors got 295 runs, with Ajinkya Rahane getting a century. England got 319 in response, with Gary Ballance getting a ton. In the second innings, India managed 342 with Murali Vijay scoring 95, while Ravi Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar got fifties as well.
It looked like the game was heading towards a dull draw, but then MS Dhoni and Ishant Sharma came up with a winning tactic. Using Ishant’s height advantage, India decided to bounce out the English batters. The bouncer barrage worked like a charm, as the bulk of the English batters fell trying to pull. Ishant Sharma ended with career-best figures of 7/74, and England were all out for 223 on the final day of the Test.
