India vs England: India’s Test series wins in England- 1971, 1986, and 2007

The five-match Test series between India and England begins on 20th June at Headingley in Leeds. Team India have top-class batters in the squad, namely Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. But without experienced campaigners like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, there is, perhaps, a fear that this Indian batting unit might surrender to the tough conditions in England.

Playing Tests in England with the Dukes ball has always been a challenge for any visiting team, especially the ones from from the subcontinent. India first visited England for a Test series back in 1932. They have only managed to win a Test series thrice, since. India last toured England in 2021 under the leadership of Virat Kohli and that series ended in a 2-2 draw. 

Here are three instances when India managed to win a Test series in England: 

1. India tour of England 1971-72: India won 1-0 

The first two Test matches of the series were drawn. However, a combined effort with bat and ball helped India register a win in the final Test of the series. In response to England’s 355, India posted a total of 284 runs in their first innings. Farokh Engineer was the top scorer with 59 to his name. Bhagwath Chadraeskhar bowled a spell to remember in England’s second innings. His 6 for 38 saw England getting bundled out for 101, thereby setting a target of 173 for India to chase. 

The openers got out early but skipper Ajit Wadekar (45) and Dilip Sardesai (40) ensured India didn’t lose wickets in a cluster. Later, Gundappa Viswanath (33) and Farokh Engineer (28) took India closer to the target and eventually won the game by 4 wickets and took the series 1-0. 

2. India tour of England 1986: India won 2-0 

India showcased a dominating performance in England on their 1986 tour. They began the series with an emphatic five-wicket win. In response to England’s 294, India piled up 341 to take a 47-run lead. Kapil Dev and Maninder Singh then ripped through England’s batting to bowl them out for just 180. India chased down a 134-run target with five wickets in hand and took a 1-0 lead. 

The next Test saw India coming even harder. A collective effort with the bat led by Vengsarkar (61) helped them post 272. Roger Binny starred in the second innings as he picked a five-for. England’s innings as a result was wrapped up on just 102. Later, Dilip Vengsarkar scored a century and helped India post a daunting target of 408. England once again succumbed to a brilliant bowling performance from the visitors. They were bundled out for 128, handing India a 279-run win. India won the series 2-0 as the third Test resulted in a draw. 

3. India tour of England 2007: India won 1-0 

India had to wait over two decades to win their next Test series in England. They had great depth in batting and ideal bowlers for those conditions. The likes of Dinesh Karthik, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Wasim Jaffer, and Saurav Ganguly all chipped in with valuable contributions and helped clinch their third Test series win in England. 

Interestingly, India would have lost the first Test match as they were nine wickets down on the fifth day. But the match resulted in a draw due to rain and bad light. The next Test saw England getting bundled out for 198, thanks to a sensational spell of 4 for 59 from Zaheer Khan. In reply, India posted a massive score of 481 on the back of a collective effort from the entire batting unit. 

Zaheer Khan, once again, starred with the ball during England’s second essay as he claimed a five-for. England were bowled out for just 355 and India only needed 73 to win the Test. They reached the target with seven wickets in hand in 24.1 overs.