If written in a History book, the India-England cricket rivalry can be termed as a medieval rivalry if not ancient based on the timeline. Under the captaincy of Douglas Jardine England cricket team’s first tour to India was in 1933-34 when India was still a British colony. Since then, England have played 60 Tests against India in India.
With time, India have become one of the formidable sides in the world of cricket. After defeating Australia in their backyard, India now looking forward to start their home season. England will also head into the four-match Test series against India with positivity after washing out Sri Lanka.
The contests between the two teams have produced some of the blistering records and memories. Before the series begins on February 5, have a look at England’s last five series in India.
- 2016: India win 4-0
The last time England met India at the latter’s home, Virat Kohli’s men played upfront and dominated the tourists. England and India were like chalk and cheese. The first Test produced no results where the other four Tests were won by India. Virat Kohli bagged two centuries including one double ton at the Wankhede in Mumbai and two half-centuries. Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay clubbed two tons apiece. From the English brigade, only Joe Root could move his wheels and ended as the second-highest scorer in the series.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were the leading wicket-takers with 28 and 26 wickets respectively.
- 2012: India 1- 2 England
The historic series win for England. England got back on track after losing the first game and went on to register the memorable series win in India. Shouldering on Pujara’s double century in Ahmedabad, India won the first match but Alastair Cook’s three centuries and Kevin Petersen’s indomitable knocks docked the ship without any hustles. After winning in Mumbai, England took the series lead at Eden Gardens, Kolkata and the fourth one was a draw.
With 562 runs Cook was the table topper and Pujara was behind him with 438 runs. Joe Root made his Test debut in the series. Graeme Swann and Pragyan Ojha jointly became the highest wicket-takers with 20 scalps each.
- 2008: India 1-0 England
India scripted their second-highest chase in Test after chasing down 387 and won the two-match series 1-0. England’s opener Andrew Strauss’ two centuries helped them to post 387. In response, Virendra Sehwag’s 83 off 68 set up the plot for India. Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 103 as India took the lead in the series.
In the second Test Gautam Gambhir smashed 179 and 97 in two innings but the match ended in a draw.
Gambhir with 361 runs became the highest run-scorer while Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Graeme Swann sealed eight wickets each.
- 2006: India- England: 1-1
The three-match series ultimately ended in a draw India took a lead in Chandigarh as Anil Kumble took nine wickets while in Mumbai. Andrew Flintoff’s twin half-centuries wheeled England to level the series.
Flintoff displayed an all-rounder performance with 264 runs and 11 wickets. Rahul Dravid was the leading scorer with 309 runs and Kumble the highest wicket-taker with 16 scalps.
- 2001: India win 1-0
The hosts won the series opener in Chandigarh banking on Kumble’s six-for and Deep Dasgupta’s century.
With 19 wickets, Kumble was the best bowler of the series and Sachin Tendulkar was the best with the bat as he racked up 307 runs.
